y. 


r 


^  *  FRINCETOX.    .\  J 

Uivtsion  .,,^,.  .-.«»•  -  • "  • 

.      No.  Case,-- .-^w,. 

I      No.  ShelC  SeGti^'l..-.— -iii^i^^ 
I      No.  Book,  ^. ._:___l__u-.-,-- 

1N»,  ..ii i 


sea 


A 


ASTER-KEY 

OPER  Y- 

In  Five    P  A  R  T  ^. 

Part  I.  Containing. 
A   Difcovery  of  the    moft     fecrec    Pra6llccs    of  the 

Secular  and  Regular  Pvomifli  Priefts  in  their  Auricular 

Conteflion. 
Part  IL  A  true  Copy  of  the  Pope's  yearly  Ball  of 

Lidulgencies  and  Pardon  of  Sins,  to    all  thoie  tliat 

ferve  in    the  \VVar  agalnft  the  Enenr/ies   of  the  Ro- 

mifh  Religion.     The  Explanation  of  the  Bull/  with 

fome  Rt-marks  upon  it. 
Part  111.    An    Account   of  their  MafTes,   privileg'd 

Altars,  Tranfubftantiation,  and  Purgatory,  and  of  the 

Means  the  Priefts  make  ufe  of  to  delude  the  People, 
Part.   IV.  Of  the   Inquifitors,  and  their  Practices  in 

feveral  Inftances. 
Part  V.  Of  their  Prayers,  Adoration  of  Images,  and 

Relicks,  &:c. 

S)     By  D.  ANtONIO^GAFIN,, 

'Born  and  educated  in  Spain,  fome  Years  Secular  Prieft  in  the  Church. 
Qi  Rome,  and  fince  1715,  Miniiler  of  the  Church  of  England. 


The  THIRD     EDITION,    carcfulIy^orreaeJ. 


L     ON    DO     iV,    Printed  : 

N  E  IV  P  O  R  T,    Rhode- Ijland :  Reprin-ceu.  and  Sold  bt 
SOLOMON  SOUTHWiCK,  i?.^  Q^eek-Strset,  1.773, 


T  O     H  E  R 

Royal  Highnefs 

THE 

Princefs  of  JVA  L  E  S. 

MADAM, 

AS,  in  this  Mafler-Key  to  Popery^  I 
do  write  nothing  but  matters  of 
fad,  concerning  the  corruptions 
and  fecret  praftices  of  the  Romijh  priefts, 
(which  I  hope  in  God  will  prove  ufeful 
to  all  true  proteftants  ;  nay,  to  the  moft 
bigoted  Romans,  if  they  will  but  read  io 
impartially)  fo,  in  this  my  humble  dedi- 
cation to  your  highnefs,  I  do  advance 
nothing  but  what  is  plainly  demonftra- 
ble  ;  for  your  agreeablenefs  and  affabili- 
ty, your  natural  propenfion  to  do  good, 

and 


(     iv     ) 

and  your  piety  and  zeal  for  the  proteft- 
ant  religion,  are  known  to  the  world, 
better  then  the  errors  of  the  church  of 
Rome,  for  the  firft  is  liable  to  no  difpute, 
even  amongft  the  Romans,  by  whom  the 
fecond  never  was,  nor  ever  will  be, 
own'd  without  a'  particular  influence  of 
God's  grace. 

Thefe,  Madam,  being  matters  of  fa(5t, 
together  with  your  Highnefs's  readinefs 
to  promote  and  encourage  works  of  this 
nature,  I  do  humbly  put  this  edition 
and  myfelf  under  your  mighty  protedii- 
on,  that  the  book  might  fafely  go  thro' 
all  forts  and  conditions  of  men,  the  au- 
thor might  be  fecur'd  from  the  inhuman 
attempts  of  his  implacable  enemies^  and 
your  Highnefs  rewarded,  for  this  and  o- 
ther  charitable  v/orks,  by  the  eternal 
King,  here  and  hereafter,  which  fhall  be 
the  continual  wifhes  of, 

Madaniy   Tour  HigJmeJs' s 
Mojl   humble^  moft  Ghedie?it 
A7td7nofi  devoted fervant. 

ANTHONY  GAVIN. 


(       V       ) 


THE 

P    R    E    F    A    C 


TJfT^^^  E  N  I  firft  defigned  to  fuhlijh  the  following 
rr  JJoeets^  it  was  a  matter  of  jome  doubt  with  me^ 
whether  or  no  I fjjould  put  my  name  to  them  \  for 
if  I  did^  I  con/idered  that  I  expofed  my f elf  to  the  malice  of 
a  great  body  of  men^  z^ho  would  endeavour  on  all  occafions 
to  injure  me  in  my  reputation  and  fortune^  if  not  in  my  life  j 
which  lafl  (to  fay  no  more)  was  no  unnatural  fufpicion  of 
a  Spaniard,  and  one  in  my  cafe^  to  entertain  of  fome  fiery 
zealots  of  the  church  of  Rome. 

But  on  the  other  hand^  I  fore f aw  ^  that  if  T  concealed  my 
namey  a  great  part  of  the  benefit^  intended  to  the  pub- 
lic by  this  work^  might  be  I  of.     For  I  have  often  obferved^ 
{IS  Uo  books  of  this  kind^  where  fuEls  only  are  related  {the 
truth  of  which  in  the  greatefl  meafure  mufl  depend  on  the 
credit  of  the  relater)  that  wherever  the  authors^  mtt  of  c auc- 
tion or  fear ^  have  concealed  themjelves^  the  event  commonly 
has  been^  that  even  the  friends  to  the  caufe^  witch  the  fa  ^s 
fupporty  give  but  a  cold  affent  to  the?n^  and  the  enemies  re- 
je^  them  entirely  as  calumnies^  and  forgeries^  without  ever 
giving  thewfelves  the  trouble  of  examining  into  theftruth 
cf  that  which  the  relater  dares  not  openly  avow.      On  this 
account^  whatever  the   confeauences  may   be^  I  refolved  to 
put  my  name  to  this^  and  accordingly  did  fo  to  the  firft  pro- 
pofals^  which  were  made  for  printing  it. 

But^  by  this  means ^  I  am  at  the  fame  time  obliged  to  fay 
fome  thing  in  vindication  of  my f elf  from  fever  al  afperfions 

which 


(     vi     ) 

which  Hie  under ^  end  which  indeed  I  have  already  in  a 
great  degree  been  a  fufferer  hy^  in  the  opinion  of  many  wor^ 
thy  gentlemen.  The  firjl  is^  that  I  never  was  a  prieji,  he- 
caufe  I  have  not  my  letters  ^/orders  to  produce.  This, 
it  mufi  he  confeffed^  is  a  tefiimonial.,  without  which  no  one 
has  a  rights  or  can  expeSi  to  he  regarded  as  a  per  [on  of  that 
chara5icr  ;  unlefs  he  has  very  convincing  arguments  to  offer 
the  worlds  that.,  in  his  circumjlances  noy  fuch  thing  could 
reafonahly  he  expeoled  from  him  \  and  whether  or  no  mine 
ere  fuch^  I  leave  the  world  to  judge.  My  cafe  i&as 
this  : 

As  foon  as  it  had  pleafed  God  by  his  grace  to  overcome 
in  me  the  prejudices  of  my  education^  in  favour  of  that  cor- 
rupt  churchy  in  which  I  had  been  bred  iip^  and  to  infpire 
me  with  a  rejolution  to  embrace  the  protefiant  religion^   I 
JaWy  that  in  order  to  prejerve  my  life^  I  muji  immediately 
quit  Spain,  where  all  perfons^  who  do  not  publicly  profefs 
the  Romifh  religion^  are  condemned  to  death.     Upon  this  I 
refolved  to  hofe  no  time  in  making  my  efcape^  but  how  to 
make  it  was  a  matter  of  the  greateji  difficulty  and  dan- 
ger :  However^  I  determined  rather  to  hazard  all  events^ 
than  either  to  continue    in  that  churchy  or  expofe  myjelf  to 
certain  death  ;  and  accordingly  made  choice  of  difguijes  as 
the  mofl  probable  method  of  favouring  my  efcape,  'The  firfh 
I  made  ufe  of  was  the  habit  of  an  officer  in  the  army  :  And^ 
as  I  was  fare  there  would  beftriol  inquiry  and  fear  ch  made 
after  me^  I  durfi  not  bring  along  with  me  my  letters  ^/ or- 
ders»  which  upon  my  being  fujpeEled  in  any  place ^  for  the 
perf on  fe arched  aftcr^  or  on  any  ether  unhappy  accident^ 
would  have  been  an  undeniable  evidence  againfl  me^  and  con- 
fequently  would  have  condemned  me  to  the  inquifinon.     By 
this  means  I  got  fafely  to  Londcn,  where  I  was  mofl  civil- 
h  received  by  the  late  Earl  Stanhope,  to  whom  I  had  the 
honor  to  be  known  when  he  was  in  Zaragofa.     He  told 
me^  that  there  were  fome  other  new  converts  of  my  nation 
in  town^  and  that  he  hoped^  I  would  follow  the  command 
cf  ]d\-\s,    to  Peter,   viz.    When   thou    art  converted, 

ilrengthen  tby  brethren. 

Upon 


{     vii     ) 

upon  this  I. went  to  the  late  Lord  Bijhop  of  London, 
and  by  his  lordJJoip's  order^  his  domeftic  chaplain  examined 
me  thre?  days  together  -,  and  as  I  could  not  produce  the  let- 
ters of  orders,  he  advifed  me  to  get  a  certificate  from  my 
herd  Stanhope,  that  he  knew  me^  and  that  I  was  a  prieji^ 
which  I  obtained  the  very  fame  day  •,  and  upon  this  cer- 
tificate^ his  lordjhip  received  my  recantation  after  morning 
prayers  in  his  chapel  of  Somerfet  houfe^  and  licenfed  me 
to  preach  and  officiate  in  a  Spanifh  congregation  compofed 
of  my  L^ri  Stanhope, /^i;^r<3/ En glifh  officers^  and  a  few 
Spanifh  officers^  new  ccnverts.     My  firft  fermon  I  had  the 
honor  to  dedicate  to  my  Lord  Stanhope,  and  was  printed 
by  Mr,  William   Bowyer,  and  was  fold  afterwards^  ly 
Mr,  Denoyer,  a  French  hookfeller^  at  Erafmus'j /?,?^zi,  in 
/i6^  Strand.     By  virtue  of  this' licenfe^  I  preached  two 
years  and  eight  months^  firft  in  the  chapel  of  Qiieen's- 
fqnare,  Weilminfter,  and  afterwards  in  Oxenden's  cha^ 
peU  near  the  hay-market.     But  my  heriefatlor^  defircus  to 
fettle  me  in-  the  Englifh  churchy  advifed  me  to  go  chaplain 
to  the  Prefton  man  of  war,  where  I  might  have  a  great 
deal  of  leifure  to  learn  the  language  \  and  being  prefented 
and  approved  by  the  Bifljop  (?/ London,  the  Lords  of  the 
Admiralty  granted  me  the  warrant  or  commiffion  of  chap- 
lain,    Then  his  lordfJjip^  though  he  had  given  me  his  con- 
fent  in  writings  to  preach  in  Spanifh,  did  enlarge  it  in  the 
warrant  of  the  Admiralty^  which  licenfe  I  fhall  take  leave 
to  infert  here  at  large, 

WHEREAS  the  Reverend  Mr.  Anthony  Gavin  was 
recommended  to  me,  by  the  right  honorable 
Lord  Stanhope  \  and  by  the  fame,  and  other  Englifli 
gentlemen,  I  was  certified  tliat  the  faid  Reverend  Mn 
Gavin  was  a  fecular  pried,  and  mafler  of  arts,  \n  the  u- 
niverfity  of  the  city  of  Z,aragofa^  in  the  kingdom  of  yf- 
rago7i^  in  Spain^  and  that  they  knew  him  in  the  faid  city, 
and  convcrfed  with  him  feveral  times  :  This  is  to  certi-  • 
fy,  that  the  faid  Reverend  Mr.  Gavin^  after  having  pub- 
licly and  Iblemnlx  abjured  the  errors  of  the  Romifh  re* 

iigionj; 


(     viii     ) 

ligion  •,  and  being  thereupon  by  me  reconciled  to  the 
church  of  England^  on  the  3d  day  of  January,  1 7 1 5- 16 ; 
he  had  then  my  leave  to  officiate,  in  the  Spanifh  lan- 
guage, in  the  chapel  of  Qiieen's-fquar^  Weftminfter  ; 
and  now  being  appointed  chaplain  of  his  Majefly*s  fliip, 
the  Prefton,  has  my  licenfe  to  preach  in  Englifh,  and  to 
adminifter  the  facraments,  at  home  and  abroad,  in-all  the 
churches  and  .chapels  of  my  diocefs.  Given  under  my 
handj  in  LondoUy  the  13th  of  July,  1720. 

Signed, -]0n^  LONDON. 

7 he  certificate^  licenfe^  and  warranty  may  hefeen  at  any 
iifnCy  for  I  have  them  by  me. 

After  that^  thejloip  being  'put  out  of  commiffion^  and  my 
Lord  Sta.nhopQ  being  in  Ha.nQvtr  with  the  King,  I  came 
ever  to  Ivi^l^nd  on  the  importunity  of  a  friend,  with  a  de- 
fvgn  to  flay  here  ^till  my  Lord's  return  into  England  :  But 
when  I  was  thinkifig  of  going  over  again,  I  heard  of  my 
Lord's  death,  and  having  in  him  lofi  my  bcjl  patron,  I  re- 
folved  to  try  in  this  kingdom,  whether  I  could  find  any  .fet- 
tlement :  And  in  a  few  days  after,  by  the  favour  of  his 
grace  my  Lord  Archbifoop  of  Cafhcl,  and  the  Reverend 
Dean  Percival,  I  got  the  -curacy  of  Gowran,  which  I  fer- 
'ved  almufi  eleven  months,  by  the  licenfe  of  my  Lord  Bijhop 
cf  OITory,  who  afterwards,  upon  my  going  to  Cork,  gave 
me  his  letters  difniijfiory, 

I  was  in  Cork  very  near  a  year,  fcyving  the  cure  of  a 
far'^fio  near  it,  and  the  Rev.  Dean  Mauie  being  at  that 
time  in  London,  and  I  being  recommended  to  him,  to  preach 
in  his  pari fh  church  of  Sh^ndon,  he  went  to  inquire  about 
jne  to  the  T^ifhop  of  London,  who,  and  feveral  other  per- 
fons  of  diftincfion,  werepkafed  to  give  me  a  good  charac* 
ter,  as  the  Dean  on  my  leaving  him  did  me  the  favour  to 
certify  under  his  hand,  together  with  my  good  behaviour 
during  myfiay  in  Cork. 

•'  Now  my  cafe  being  fuch,  as  I  have  reprefented  it,  Ijree- 
ly  fubmit  it  to  the  judgment  of  every  gentleman  of  ingenuity 
and  candour^  to  determine,  whether  it '  could  h  exposed 

*  from. 


(       IX       ) 

from  me,  that  Ifroould  have  my  letters  ^/orders  to  fjjew  ; 
and  yet  whether  there  can  be  any  tolerable  reafon  to  fufpe5i 
my  not  having  been  a  prieft.  I  think  it  might  be  enough 
toftlence  all  fufpicions  on  this  account^  that  I  was  received 
as  a  prieft  into  the  church  of  England,  and  licenfed  as 
fuch^  to  preach  and  adminifter  the  facraments  both  in  that 
kingdom  and  this  :  And  I  hope  m  one  can  imagine^  that  a- 
ny  of  the  bifhops  of  the  beft  conftituted  and  governed  church- 
es  upon  earthy  w^uld  admit  any  perfon  to  fo  f acred  a  truft^ 
nsoithout  their  being  fully  fatisfied  that  he  was  in  orders. 

I fhalU  on  this  occafion,  beg  leave  to  mention  what  the 
Bijhop  of  London  faid  to  7ne^  when  I  told  him  I  had  not 
my  letters  ^/orders,  but  that  my  L/^ri Stanhope, ^;? J  o^ 
ther  gentlemen  of  honor  and  credit^  who  hnew  me  in  my  na- 
tive city  of  Zaragofa,  would  certify,  that  I  there  was 
efteemed  and  officiated  as  a  prieft.  Bring  fuch  a  certificate^ 
faid  he.,  and  I  will  receive  and  licenfe  you  ;  for  I  would 
rather  depend  upon  it.,  than  any  letters  of  orders  you  could 
produce.^  which^  for  ought  I  could  tell.,  you  might  have 
forged. 

I  hope  what  I  have  here  faid  mUy  convince  even  my  e- 
nemies,  of  my  being  a  clergyman  :  And  how  I  have  behaved 
my f elf  as  fuch.,  fince  I  came  into  this  kingdom^  I  appeal  to 
thofe  gentlemen  I  converfed  with  in  Gowran,  Gortroe,  and 
Cork,  and  for  this  laft  year  and  an  half  to  the  officers  of 
Col.  Barrel*  Brigadier  Napper,  Col,  Haw  ley.  Col.  New- 
ton, and  Col.  LanoeV  regiments.,  who.,  I  am  fure^  will  do 
me  juftice.,  and  T  deftre  7tG  more  of  them  \  and  upon  an. 
iyiQuiry  into  m.y  behaviour.,  I  flatter  my f elf.,  that  the  pub- 
lic will  not  lightly  give  credit  to  the  ill  reports  fpread  a- 
broad  by  my  enemies. 

Another  objection  raifed  againft  me  is.,  that  I  have  per- 
jured my  f  elf  in  dif covering,  the  private  c on feffiions  which 
were  made  to  me.  In  one  point  indeed  they  may  call  me 
perjured.,  and  it  is  my  comfort  and  glory.,  that  T  am  fo  in 
it.,  y\z.  'That  I  have  broke  the  oath  I  took.,  when  I  was 
ordained  prieft.,  which  was  to  live  and  die  in  the  Roman- 
Catholic  faith.     But  as  to  the  other  perjury  charged  upon 

B  me. 


(      X      ) 

r/je^  they  H^^  under  a.  mijlake  •,  for  there  is  no  oath  offecre^ 
cy  at  all  adminijlred  to  confejfors^  as  moft  protejiants  ima^ 
gine.  Secrecy  indeed  is  reco^nrnended  to  all  confejfors  by 
the  cafuiftsy  and  e)i joined  hy  the  councils  and  Popes  foftridl^ 
ly^  that  if  a  confejjhr  reveals  (except  in  fame  particular  ca- 
fes) what  is  confefjed  to  him^fo  as  the  penitent  is  dif cover ^ 
ea^  he  is  to  be  punifljed  for  it  in  the  inauifition  ;  "johich^ 
it  tnuft  be  owned^  is  a  more  effs^ual  way  of  enjoining  Je- 
crecy  than  oaths  themfelves. 

However^  T  am  far  from  in?  agin  ing,  that  becaufe  in  this 
cafe  I  have  broken  no  oathy  I fhould  therefore  be  guilty  of 
no  crinie^  though  I  revealed  every  thing  which  was  com- 
mitted to  my  truft  as  a  confeffor^  of  whatever  ill  co'ifeqiience 
it  might,  be  to  the  penitent  ;  no^  fuch  a  pratlice  I  take  to 
be  exceedingly  crimi7tal^    and  I  do  from  ?ny  foul  abhor  it. 

But  never thelefs  there  are  cafes  where ^  by  the  confiitU" 
iion  of  the  church  cf  Rome  itfelf^  the  mofl  dangerous 
fecrcts  may  and  ought  to  be  revealed :  Such  as  thofe  which 
are  called  referved  cafes,  of  zvhich  there  are  many  ;  fome 
referved  to  the  pope  himfelf^  as  herefy  ;  fame  to  his  apoflo- 
lical  comwiffary  or  his  deputy^  as  inceft  m  the  firil  degree  : 
Some  to  the  bifJjop  of  the  diocefs^  as  the  fetting  a  neigh- 
bour's houfe  on  fire.  Now  in  fuch  cajes  the  confejfor  can- 
not abfolve  the  penitent^  and  there^cr-c  he  is  obliged  to  re- 
veal the  confejflon  to  the  perfcn.  to  whom  the  abfolution  of 
that  fin  is  referved  \  though  indeed  he  never  mentions  the 
penitent^ s  name^  or  any  circumjlance  by  which  he  may  be  dif- 
covered. 

Again^  there  are  other  cafes  (fuch  as  a  confpiracy 
againil  the  life  of  the  Prince,  or  a  traiterous  defign  to 
overturn  the  government)  %'hich  the  confeffor  is  obliged 
in  confciencc^  and  for  the  fafety  of  the  public^  to  reveal. 

But  be  fides  atl  thefe^  whenever  the  penitenfs  cafe  hap- 
fens  to  have  any  thing  of  an  uncommon  difficulty  in  it^  com- 
mon prudence,,  and  a  due  regard  to  the  faithful  dif charge 
of  his  office^  will  oblige  a  confeffor  to  difcover  it  to  men  of 
experience  and  judgment  in  cafuiflry,,  that  he  may  have 
ikeir  advice  how  to  proceed  in  it :  And  this  is  what  confef- 

fcrs 


(     xi     ) 

fc)rs  in  Spain  not  only  may  do,  hut  are  hound  ly  the  word  of 
apriejl  to  do  wherever  they  have  an  opportunity  of  confult- 
ing  a  college  of  confeffors^  or  (as  it  is  commonly  called)  a. 
moral  academy. 

I'helieve  it  may  he  of  fomefervice  on  the  prefent  occafion^ 
to  inform  my  readers  what  thofe  moral  academies  are^ 
which  are  to  he  met  with  through  Spain,  ///  every  city  and 
town  where  there  is  a  niimher  offecular  and  regular  priefts : 
But  I JJjallfpeak  only  of  thofe  in  the  ciiy  of  Zaragofa,  as 
being  the  moft  per fe oily  acquainted  with  them. 

A  moral  academy  is  a  college  or  affenihly  conjijling  of 
fever al  Father  Confeffors^  in  which  each  of  them  propofes 
fome  moral  cafe  which  has  happened  to  him  in  confejfion^ 
with  an  exa5i  and  particular  account  of  the  confejjion^  with- 
out mentioning  the  penitenfs  name  :  And  the  proponent 
having  done  this,  every  member  is  to  deliver  his  opinion  up- 
on it.  'This  is  conftantly  pra^fifed  every  Friday./r^?;;;  two 
of  the  clock  in  the  afterfioon^  Uill  fix^  and  Jometimes  'till 
eight,  as  the  cafes  propojed  happen  to  be  more  or  lefs  diffi- 
cult. But  when  there  is  an  extraordinary  intricate  caje  to 
be  refolved.,  and  the  members  cannot  agree  in  the  refolution 
of  it ;  they  fend  one  of  their  affemhly  to  the  great  academy, 
which  is  a  college  compofed  of  i6  cafuiftical  doctors,  and  4 
profejfcrs  of  divinity,  the  moft  learned  and  experienced  in 
moral  cafes  that  may  he  had ;  and  by  them  the  cafe  in  de- 
bate is  rejolved,  and  the  refolution  of  it  entered  in  the  hocks 
of  the  academy  hy  the  confent  cf  the  prefident  and  members. 

The  academy  of  the  holy  trinity,  founded  and  very 
nobly  endowed  by  Archbifl:iop  Gambca,  is  one  of  the 
moft  famous  in  the  city  of  Zaragofa  •,  and  ot  it  1  was 
a  member  for  three  years.  I  was  very  young  and  unex- 
pert  in  cafes  of  conicience,  when  I  was  firftjicenfed  to 
be  a  confeiTor  ;  for  the  Pope  having  difpenfed  with  1:; 
months  of  the  time  required  by  the  canons  for  the  age 
of  a  Prieft  (for  which  (  paid  60  pilloles)  I  was  ordain- 
ed before  I  was  2^  years  old,  by  Don  Antotonio  Ibannez 
de  la  Rivia  de  U  err  era,  Archbifhop  of  Zaragofa  an*': 
Viceroy  of  Arra^on  s  and  at  the  fame  tioie  licenfed  h\ 


(     xii     ) 

him  to  hear  confeHions  of  both  fexes.  In-order  then 
the  better  and  more  Ipeedijy  to  qualify  myfelf  for  the 
office,  I  thought  it  triy  pr^identell  way  to  apply,  as  foon 
as  pofTible,  to  be  admitted  ihto  this  learned  fociety,  and 
as  it  happened,  I  had  intereft  enough  to  fucceed. 

Now  among  many  flat utes  left  by  the  founder  to  this 
academy,  one  is  this,  viz.  That  every  perfbn,  who  is 
chofen  a  member  of  it,  is  on  his  admilTion.to  promife 
upon  the  word  .of  a  prieft,  to  give  the  whole  alTembly 
a  faithful  account  of  all  the  private  confefTions  he  has 
heard  the  week  before,  which  have  any  thing  in  them 
diiiicultto  be  refolvtrd  ;  yet  fo  as  not  to  mention  any 
circumttance  by  v/hich  the  penitents  may  be  known. 

,  And  for  this  tnd  there  is  a  book,  where  the  fecretary 
enttys  all  the  cafes  propoitd  and  refolved  every  Friday  ; 
and  every  third  year  there  is,  by  the  confcnt  of  the  pre- 
sident and  members  of  the  academy,  and  by  the  appro- 
bation of  the  gre.'Jt  one,  a  book  printed  containing  all 
the  c^fes  refolved  for  three  years  before,  and  which  is 
entitled,  compendiu7n  c/ijuum  moralium  nc-ademice  S.  S, 
trinitatis.  The  academy  of  the  holy  trinity  is  always 
compofed  of  20  Iriembers,  fo  that  every  one  may  eafily 
perceive,  chat  each  of  the  members  may  be  acquainted 
in  a  year  or  two,  with  many  hundreds  of  private  con- 
fe/Tions  of  all  ranks  and  conditions  of  people,  befides 
thofe  which  were  made  to  themfelves  :   Which  remark 

■  I  only  make  by  the  by  to  fatisfy  fome  men,  who,  I  am 
told,  find  fault  with  me  for  pretending  to  impofe  on  the 

.  public  for  genuine,  ieveral  confeffions  which  were  not 
made  to  myfelf,  and  confequentiy  for  the  reality  of 
which,  I  can  have,  no  fufficient  authoTity. 

Now  after  all  that  has  been  faid  on  this  head,  I  be- 
lieve I  need  not  be  at  much  trouble  to  vindicate  myfelf 
from  the  imputation  of  any  criminal  breach  ot  fecrecy  ; 
for  if  the  reader  obferves,  that  on  the  foregoino;  grounds, 
there  is  no  confefiion  whatever  which  may  not  lawful- 
ly be  revealed  (provided  the  confefTor  doth  not  difcover 
the  penitent)  he  cannot  in  juftice  condemn  me  for  pub- 

Jifhing 


(     xiii     ) 

lifhing  a  few,  by  which  it  is  morally  impoITible,  in  the 
prefent  circumilances,  that  the  penitents  fhould  be 
known.'  Had  I  been  much  more  particular  than  I  am 
in  my  relations,  and  mentioned  even  the  names  and  eve- 
ry thing  elfe-I  knew  of  the  peribns,  there  would  fcarce 
be  a  pofTibility  (confidering  the  diitance  and  little  inter- 
courfe  there  is  between  this  place  and  Zaragoja)  of  their 
fuffering  in  any  degree  by  it :  And  I  need  ;no:  obferve 
that  the  chief,  and  indeed  only  reafon  of  .etyjohning  *and 
keeping  fecrecy,  is  the  hazards  the  penitent  may  run  by 
a  difcovery,  but  Ido  alTure  the  reader,  that  in  every 
confellion  I  have  related,  1  have  made  ule  of  feigned 
names,  and  avoided  every  circumftance  by  which  1  had 
the  leafb  cayfe  to  fujpccl  the  parties  might  be  found  out. 
And  I  alFarc  him  further,  that  moPc  of  the  cafes,  here 
publiflied  by  me  are,  in  their  moil  material  points,  already 
printed  in  the  conpendiums  of  that  moral  academy  of 
which  I  was  a  member. 

As  for  the  reafons' which  moved  me  "to  publiih  this 
book,  I  fliaJ  only  fay,  that  as  the  corrupt  practices, 
which  are  the  fubje6l  of  it,  firft  fet  me  upon  examining 
into  the  principles  of  the  church  ox  Rome ^  and  by  that 
means,  of  renoun-cino;  them  •,  fo  I  thou.g:ht  that  the  m.ak- 
ing  of  them  public  might  happily  produce  the  fame  ef- 
fect in  fome  others. 

I  did  defignon  thisoccafion  to  give  a  particular  ac- 
count of  the  .  motives  of  my  converfion,  and  leaving 
^pain ;  but  being  confined  to  300  pages,  1  muft  leave 
that  and  ibme  otheV  things  relating  to  tlie  facramentsof 
the  church  of  Rome^  to  a  fecond  part,  which  I  intend  to 
print  if  the  pubhc  thinks  fit  to  encour^ige  me. 

I  mufb  beg  the  readers  pardon  tor  my  prefumption 
in  writing  in  his  own  language,  on  fo  fnort  an  acquaint- 
ance as  I  have  with  it.  I  hope  he  will  excufe  the  many 
miftakes  I  may  have  committed  in  the  book  :  I  lliall 
be  very  well  pleafed  to  be  told  of,  and  I  fhall.  take  the 
greater  care  to  avoid  them  in  the  fecond  part. 

A 


(     15     ) 


MA  STER-KE  Y 

T  O 

POPERY. 

PART     I. 

Of  the  Roman- Catholics    Aiirictilar 

Confejfion. 

^^,oeoco<«eooo«^eooooo6oooot>^^  URICULAR  confellion    being  one 
I  ^cooocooo;^coc=ooco^  I    ^^  ^ j^^  g^^^  coiH mand mcn ts   of  the 

I  I  /y  '"0\    s  i    Roman-CathGlic  church,  and  a   con- 
4*4*S<"    A    X*^4*  ^ii^iofJ  necefiarily  required,  in  one  of 
I  i  XA    XX  i  i    their  facraments  ;  and  beino;  too  an 
I  I       *'"?-'^      1  s    article    that    will    contribute    very 
4,1.00.0^^.^0.0,1^  "'^uch  to  the  difcovery  of  many  other- 
errors  of  that  communion,  it  may 
be  proper  to  make  ufe  of  the  Mafter-Key^    and    begin 
with  it :  And  firfl  of  all,  with  the  Father  Confefibi-s,  who 
Ere  the  only  key-keepersof  it. 

Though 


i6  A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  T 

Though  a  priefl:  cannot  be  licensed,  by  the  canons  of 
their  church,  to  hear  men's  confcfTions,  till  he  is  thirty- 
years,  nor  to  confefs  women,  till  forty  years  of  age,  yet 
ordinarily  he  gets  a  difpenfation  from  the  bifhop,  to 
whom  his  probity,  fecrecy,  and  fober  converfation  are 
reprefented  by  one  of  the  diocefan  [a)  ex^minators,  his 
friend,  or  by  feme  perfon  of  in te reft  with  his  lordfnip  *, 
and  by  that  means  he  gets  a  confeflbr's  iicenfe,  mod  com- 
monly, the  day  he  gets  his  letters*  of  orders,  viz,  Sone 
at  three  and  twenty,  and  lome  at  four  and  twenty  years 
of  age,  not  only  for  mjcn,  but  for  women's  confelTions 
alfo.  I  fay,  fome  at  three  and  twenty  ;  for  the  Pope 
difpenfeth  with  thirteen  months,  to  thofe  that  pay  a  fum 
of  money  ;   of  which  I  fhail  fpeak  in  another  place. 

To  priefts  thus  licens'd,  to  be  judges  of  the  tribunal 
of  confcience,  men  and  women  do  difcover  their  fins, 
their  adtions,  their  thoughts,  nay,  their  very  dreams,  if 
they  happen  to  be  impure.  I  fay,  judges  of  the  tribu- 
nal of  confcience  ;  for  when  they  are  licens'd,  they 
ouCTht  to  refolve  any  cafe  (let  it  be  never  fo  hard)  propo- 
fed  by  the  penitent  :  And  by  this  means  it  muft  often 
happen,  that  a  young  man  who,  perhaps,  doth  not  know 
more  than  a  few  definitions  (which  he  hath  learn'd  in  a 
little  manual  of  fome  cafuiftical  authors)  of  what  is  fin, 
fhall  fit  in  fuch  a  tribunal,  to  judge,  in  the  mofi:  intri- 
cate cafes,  the  confciences  of  men,  and  of  men  too  that 
may  be  his  mailers. 

I  faw  a  reverend  father  {h)  who  had  been  eight  and 
twenty  years  profefTor  of  divinity  in  one  of  the  moft 
confiderable  {c)  univerfities  of  Spain^  and  one  of  the 
moft  famous  miCn  for  his  learning,  in  that  religion,  kneel 
down  before  a  young  ^^d)  prieft  of  twenty-four  years  of  age, 

and 

- a . 

{a)  Thofe  that  are  appointed,  by  the  bifhop,  to  examine  thofc 
that  are  to  be  ordain'd,  or  licens'd  to  preach  and  hear  conreirions. 

{b)  Fr.  'James  Garcia, 

{c)  The  aniverfiry  of  Zaragofa^  in  the  kingdom  of  Arrag^n^  in 
Spain^  which,  according  to  their  hiftorians,  was  built  by  Sertorius. 

{d)  The  thing  happened  to  me  when  I  was  twenty-lour  years 
of  age. 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  17 

and  confefs  his  fins  to  him.  Who  would  nr^t  be  fifrpri- 
Icd  at  them  both  ?  A  man  fit  to  be  the  judge  to  ad  the 
part  of  a  criminal  before  an  ignorant  judge,  who,  I  am 
fu re,  could  fcarcely  then  tell  the  titles  oi  i\\t  Summ^ 
Morales. 

Nay,  the  Pope,  notwithilanding  all  his  infallibility, 
doth  kneel  down  before  his  confeilbr,  tells  him  his  fins, 
heareth  his  corredion,  and  receives  and  performs  what- 
ever penance  he  impofeth  upon  him.  This  is  the  only 
difference  between  the  Pope's  confefTor,  and  the  con- 
feflbrs  of  King55  and  other  perfons,  that  all  cooiefTors  fit 
down  to  hear  Kings  and  other  perfons,  but  the  Pope's 
confefTor  kneels  down  himfelf  to  hear  the  Holy  Father. 
What,  the  holy  one  upon  earth  humble  himfelf  as  a 
finner  ?  Holinds  and  fin  in  one  and  the  fame  fubjed,  is 
a  plain  contradiction  in  terms. 

If  we  afl-c  the  Roman-Cat  holies.  Why  fo  learned  men, 
and  the  Pope,  do  fo  ^  They  will  anfwer,  that  they  doit 
out  of  reverence  to  fuch  a  facrament,  out  of  humility, 
and  to  give  a  token  and  teftimony  of  their  hearty  forrow 
for  their  fins.  And  as  for  the  Pope,  they  fay  he  doth  it 
to  fliew  an  example  of  humility,  as  Jefus  Chrifl  did, 
when  he  wafli'd  the  apoftles  ftti. 

This  anfwer  is  true,  but  they  do  not  hy  the  whole 
truth  in  it  •,  for,  befides  the  aforefaid  reafons,  they  have 
another,  as  Molina  tells  them,  {e)  viz.  That  the  penitent 
ouo-ht  to  fubmit  entirely  to  his  confcfTor's  corredt'on,  ad- 
vice,  and  penance  ,  and  he  accepts  no  body  from  this 
neceffary  requifite  of  a  true  penitent.  Who  would  not 
be  furprifed  (I  fay  again)  that  a  man  of  noted  learning 
v/ould  fubmit  himfelf  to  a  young,  unexperienced  prieil, 
as  to  a  judge  of  his  copfcience,  take  his  advice,  and 
receive  his  corrcdlion  and  penance  ?  • 

What  would  a  Roman-Catholic  fay,  if  he  lliould  fee 
one  of  our  learned  bifhops  go  to  the  college  to  confult 
a  young  collegian  in  a  nice  point  of  divinity  \  nay,  to 

take 


(0  In  his  Moral  Summ.   Chap.   XVill.  of  the  requifites  of  a  true 
penitent. 


i8  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  T 

take  Ills  advice,  and  fubmit  to  his  opinion  ?  Really  the 
Romans  would  heartily  laugh  at  him,  and  with  a  great 
deal  of  reafon  •,  nay,  he  couid  liiy,  that  his  lordfhip  was 
not  right  in  his  fenfes.  What  then  can  aproteftant  lay 
ofthofe  infatuated,  learned  nnen  of  the  church  of  Romey 
when  they  do  more  than  what  is  here  luppofed  ? 

As  for  the  Pope  (I  lay)  'tis  a  damnable  opinion  to 
compare  him,  in  this  cafe,  with  our  Saviour  Jefus  •,  for 
Chriil  knew  not  fin,  but  gave  us  an  example  of  humili- 
ty and  patience,  obedience  and  poverty,  He  did  wafh 
the  Apodlcs  feet  •,  and  tho'  we  cannot  know  by  the  fcrip- 
ture  whether  he  did  kneel  down  or  not  to  walli  them  : 
Suppofing  that  he  did,  he  did  it  only  out  of  a  true  hu- 
mility, and  not  to  confcfs  his  fins  :  But  the  Pope  doth 
kneel  down,  not  to  s^ive  an-txample  of  humility  and  pa* 
tience,  but  really  to  confefs  his  fins  :  Not  to  give  an 
example  of  obedience  ;  for,  being  fupreme  pontifex^  he 
obeys  no  body,  and  ailumes  a  command,  over  the  whole 
world  ;  nor  of  poverty  ;  for  Pope  and  neceflity  dwell 
far  from  one  another.  And  if  fome  ignorant  Roman- 
Catholic  fliould  fay,  that  the  Pope,  as  Pope,  has  no  fin, 
we  may  prove  the  contrary  with  Cipriaito  de  Valera^  (/) 
who  gives  an  account  of  all  the  baftards  of  feveral  Popes 
for  many  years  paft.  The  dope's  baftards,  in  Latin,  are 
called  ncpotes.  Now  mind,  O  reader,  this  common 
faying  in  Latin^  zmon^  iht  Roman-Calholics  :  Solent  de- 
reci  filios  fucs  vocare  fobmios  aut  nepotes  ;  That  is.  The 
priefts  uie  to  call  their  own  fons  cotifins  or  nephews.  And 
when  v/e  give  thefe  inftances  to  fome  ot  their  learned 
men  (as  I  did  to  one  in  London)  they  fay,  Angelonim  eft 
peccare^  hominmnque  penitere  \  i.  e.  It  belongs  to  Angels 
to  fm,  and  to  men  to  repent.  By  this  they  acknowledge 
that  the  Pope  is  a  finner,  and  nevertheleis  they  call  him 
Eis  Holinefs^  and  the  mod  Holy  Father. 

Who  then  would  not  be  furprifed  to  fee  the  moft  holy 
Jefus  ChrilVs  vicar  on  earth,  and  the  infallible  in  what-: 

ever 


(/)  The  lives  of  the  Popes,  and  the  faciifice  of  Pdafs. 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r. 


^9 


ever  he  fays,  and  doth  fubmit  himfelf  to  confefs  his  fins 
to  a  man,  and  a  man  too  that  has  no  orhtr  power  to  cor- 
redl  him,  to  advife  and  impole  a  penance  upon  the  moft 
holy  one,  than  what  his  holinefs  has  been  pleafed  to  grant 
him  ?  Every  body  indeed  that  has  a  grain  of  fenle  of 
religion,  and  reflects  ierioiifly  on  ir. 

I  come  now  to   their  Auricular  Ccnftjfion^  and  of  the 
ways  and  methods  they  pradlice  and  oblerve  in  the  con- 
fefTing  of  their  fins.     There  is  among  them  two  ranks  of 
people,  learned  and  unlearned.     The  learned  conftfj,  by 
thefe  three  general  heads,  thought^  word  and  deed^  redu- 
cing into  them  all  forts  of  fins.     The  unlearned  confefs 
by  the  ten  commandments,  difcovering  by  them  all  the 
mortal  fins  which  they  have  committed   fince  their  laft 
confeflion.     I  fay  mortal  fins  ;  for  as  to  the  venial  fins, 
or  fins  of  a  fmall  matter,  the  opinion  of  their  caiuifi^ical 
authors  {g)  is,  they  are  waflied  away  by  the  fign  of  the 
crofs,  or  by  fprinkling  the  face  with  the   holy   water. 
To  the  difcovery  of  the  mortal  fins   the  father  confefi<)r 
doth  very  much  help  the  penitent ;  for  he  fometimes  out 
of  pure  zeal,  but  moft  commonly  out  of  curiofity,  afks 
them  many  queftions  to  know  whether  they  do  remem- 
ber all  their  fins,  or  not  ?  By  thefe  and  the  like  queftions, 
the  confefiTors  do  more  mifchief  than  good,  efptcially  to- 
the  ignorant  people  and  young  women  ;  for  perhaps  they 
do  not  know  What  fitnple  fornication  is  ^  What  volun- 
tary or  involuntary  pollution  ?  What   impure   dfjire  ? 
y^hzi  JiJiful  motion  of  our  hearts  ?   What  relapfe.^  reinci- 
dence^  or  reiteration  of  fins  ^   And  the  like  ;  and  then  by 
the  confefibrs  indifcreet  queftions,  the  penitents  do  learn 
things  of  which  they   never  had   dreamed  before  ;  and 
when  they  come  to  that  tribunal  with  a  fincere,  ignorant 
heart,  to  receive  advice  and  inftrudlion,  they  go  home 

with 

{g)  Perezy  Irriharrerty  and  Salazar,  In  liis  Compord,  Moral. 
Sedt.  12,  ^e  'vitiis  et  peccatisy  gives  a  caralogue  of  the  venial  fins,  and 
iays,  among  others,  that  to  eat  flelh  in  a  day  prohibited  by  the 
church,  without  minding  it,  was  fo.  To  kill  a  man,  throwirg  a 
ftone  through  the  window,  or  being  drunk,  or  in  the  iiilt  motion  of 
feis  paflion,  are  venial  fins,  &c. 


10  A    M  A  S  r  E  R^K  E  T 

with  light,  knowledge,  and  an  idea  of  fins  unknown  to 
them  before. 

!  laid,  that  the  confelTors  do  afl<  queftions,  mod  com- 
monjy  cue  of  cunofity,  though  they  are  warned  by  the 
cafuiftical  authois  to  be  prudent,  difcreer,  and  very  cau- 
tious in  the  qucilions  they  afk,  efpecially  if  the  penitent 
be  a  young  woman,  or  an  ignorant ;  for  as  Fineda  fays  [h) 
Jt  is  better  to  let  them  go  ignorant  than  inftru5led  in  new 
fms.  But  contrary  to  this  good  maxim,  tiiey  are  fo  in- 
difcreet  in  this  point,  that  I  faw  in  the  city  of  Lijbon  in 
Portugal  a  girl  often  years  of  age,  coming  from  church, 
afk  her  mother  what  defiouring  was  ?  For  the  father 
confefTor  had  afked  lier  whether  fiie  was  defloured  or 
not  ?  And  the  mother,  more  difcreet  than  the  confeflbr, 
told  the  girl,  that  the  meaning  was,  whether  fhe  took 
delight  in  fmelling  flowers  or  not  ?  And  fo  fhe  ftopped 
her  child's  curiofity.  But  of  this  and  many  other  in- 
difcretions  I  fliall  fpeak  more  particularly  by  and  by. 

Now  obferve,  that  as  a  penitent  cannot  hide  any 
thing  from  the  fpiritual  judge,  elfe  he  would  make  a  fa- 
crilegious  confelTion  -,  fo  I  cannot  hide  any  thing  from 
the  public  which  is  to  be  my  hearer,  and  the  temporal 
judge  of  my  work,  elfe  I  fhould  betray  my  confcience  : 
Therefore  (to  the  befl  of  my  memory,  and  as  one  that 
expedts  to  be  called  before  the  dreadful  tribunal  of  God, 
on  account  of  what  I  do  now  write  and  fay,  if  I  do  not 
fay  and  wrhe  the  truth  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart) 
I  fnali  give  a  faithful,  plain  account  of  the  Roman's  au- 
ricular confefTion,  and  of  the  mofl  ufual  queftions  and 
nnfwers  between  the  confefTors  and  penitents  -,  and  this 
I  fliall  do  in  fo  plain  a  ftyle  that  every  body  may  go  a- 
long  with  me. 

And  firfl  of  all  it  is  very  proper  to  give  an  account 
of  what  the  penitents  do,  from  the  time  they  come  into 
the  church,  till  they  begin  their  confeiTion.  When  the 
penitent  comes  into  the  cluirch,  he  takes  holy  water, 
and  fprinklcs  his  face,  and,  making  the  fign  of  the  crofs, 

fays; 


{h)  Traa,de  F&ali,  Scd.  i.  fed.  idi. 


to     P  0  P  E  R  r.  21 

fays,  per  Jignum  cruets  de  inimicis  noftrh  libera  nos  Deus 
7iofter  :  In  nominePatris  et  Filii^  et  Spiritus  Sanoii.  A- 
men.  i.  e.  By  thefign  of  thecrofs  deliver  us  our  God 
from  our  enemies,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  Amen,  Then  the  peni- 
tent goes  on,  and  kneels  down  before  the  great  altar, 
where  the  great  hoft  (of  which  I  lliall  fpeak  in  another 
placer)  is  kept  in  a  neat  and  rich  tabernacle,  with  a  brafs 
or  filver  lamp  hanging  before  it,  and  burning  contirwal- 
ly,  night  and  day.  There  he  makes  a  prayer,  firft  to 
the  holy  facrament  of  the  aitar  (as  they  call  it)  after  to 
the  Virgin  Mary^  arid  to  the  titular  faints  of  the  church. 
Then  he  turns  about  upon  his  knees,  and  vifits  five  al- 
tars, or  if  there  is  bur  one  akar  in  the  church,  five  times 
that  altar,  and  fays  before  each  of  them  five  times.  Pa- 
ter noftcr^  ^c.  and  five  times  Ave  Maria^  &c.  with  Glo- 
ria Patria^  ^c. 

Then  he  rifcth,  and  goes  to  the  confefTiORary,  /.  e.  The 
confelllng  place,  v;here  the  confefTor  fits  in  a  chair  like 
our  hackney  chairs,  which  is  mod  commonly  placed  in 
fome  of  the  chapels,  and  in  the  darkeil  place  of  the 
church.  The  chairs,  generally  fpeaking,  have  an  iron- 
grate  at  each  fide,  but  none  at  all  before  ;  and  fonie  days 
of  devotion,  or  on  a  great  feftival,  there  is  fuch  a  crowd 
of  people  that  you  may  fee  three  penitents  at  ODce  about 
the  chair,  one  at  each  grate,  and  t'other  at  the  door, 
though  only  one  confe^^e^h  at  a  time,  whifpering  in  the 
confeiTor's  ear,  that  the  others  fliould  not  hear  what  he 
fays ',  and  when  one  has  done,  the  t'other  begins,  and  fo 
on  :  But  moil  commonly  they  confefs  at  the  door  of  the 
chair  one  after  another  ;  for  thus,  the  confefTor  has  an 
opportunity  of  knowing  the  penitent  :  And  though  ma- 
ny gentlewomen  either  out  of  bafnuilnefs,  or  fliame,  or  mo- 
defly,  do  endeavour  to  hide  their  faces  with  a  fan,  or 
veil,  notwithflanding  all  this  they  are  known  by  the  con- 
feflbr,  who  if  curious,  by  crafty  quefbions  brings  them  to 
tell  him  their  names  and  houfes,  and  this  in  the  very  adt 
of  confeiTion,  or  clfe  he  examines  their  faces  when  the 

coitledion 


22  'AMASTER-KET 

confeflion  is  over  whilfl  the  penitents  are  kifllng  his 
hand  or  (leeve  ;  and  if  he  cannot  know  them  this  way, 
he  goes  himfelf  to  give  the  facrament,  and  then  every 
one  being  obhged  to  fhew  his  face,  is  known  by  the  cu- 
rious confefTor,  who  doth  this  not  without  a  private  view 
and  defign,  as  will  appear  at  the  end  of  fome  private  con- 
fefiions. 

The  penitent  then  kneeling,  bows  himfelf  to  the 
groiind  before  the  confeffor,  and  makes  again  the  fign 
of  the  crofs  in  the  aforefaid  form  ;  and  having;  in  his 
hand  the  beads,  or  rofary  of  the  Virgin  Mary^  begins  the 
general  confeflion  of  fins,  which  fome  fay  in  Latin^  and 
fome  in  the  vulgar  tongue  -,  therefore  it  feems  proper  to 
give  a  copy  of  it  both  in  Latin  and  Englijh. 

Confiteor  Deo  Omnipotenti  \  he  at  a  Mar  ice  femper  Vir- 
ginia heato  Micbaeli  Archangelo^  heato  Jcanni  Baptift^^ 
janElis  apoftolis  Petro^  et  Paulo^  omnibus  fan^is^  et  tihi^ 
Pdter  ;  quia  peccavi  nimis  cogitatione^  verbo^  et  cpere^  mea 
culpa^  mea  culpa^  mea  maxima  culpa  :  Ideo  precor  heatam 
Mariamfe'mper  Virginem^  beatem  Michaelem  Archangelum^ 
heatum  Joannem  Baptiftam^  [antics  apoftolos  Petrmn  et 
Paulum^  omnes  fanclos  et  te^  Pater,  or  are  pro  me  ad  Domi- 
num  Deum  nofiru7n.     Amen. 

I  do  confefs  to  G^  Almighty,  to  the  blefled  Mary^ 
always  a  Virgin,  to  the  blefied  Archangel  Michael^  to 
the  bielled  John  Baptift^  to  the  holy  apoflles  Peter  and 
Patily  to  ail  the  faints,  and  to  thee,  O  Father,  that  I 
have  too  much  finned  by  thought,  word,  and  deed,  by 
my  fault,  by  my  fault,  by  my  greateil  fault  :  There- 
fore I  befeech  the  blefled  Mary,  always  a  Virgin,  the  blef- 
fed  Archangel  Michael^  the  blcffed  John  Baptiji^  the  ho- 
ly apoflles  Peter  and  Paul^  all  the  faints,  and  thee,  O 
Father,  to  pray  God  our  Lord  for  me.     Amen, 

This  done,  the  penitent  raifes  him  from  his  proftra- 
tion  to  his  knees,  and  touching  with  his  lip,  either  the 
ear  or  the  cheek  of  the  Spiritual  Father,  begins  to  dif- 
cover  his  fins  by  the  ten  commandments  :  And  here  it 
may  be  necefTary  to  give  a  tranilation  of  their  ten  com- 
mandments, word  for  word.  THE 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  i§ 

"1^1 1 !  S    commandments  of  the  law  of  God  are  ten  : 
^;        The  three  fir  ft  do  pertain  to  the  honor  of  God  j 
and  tfiC  other  feven  to  the  benefic  of  our  neighbour. 

The  ""  i  nou  flialt  love  God  above  all  things. 

11.  Thou  llialt  noc  fwear. 

III.  Thou  fnalt  fan6lify  the  holy  days. 

IV.  Thou  fhalt  honor  father  and  mother. 
V.  Thou  fhalt  not  kill. 

VI.     Thou  fhalt  not  commit  fornication. 
V!I.     Thou  fhalt  not  fteal. 
VIII.     Thou  fnalt  not  bear  falfe  witnefs,  nor  lie. 
IX.     Thou  (halt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife. 
X.     l^hou  flialt  not  covet  the  things  which  are  ano- 
ther's. 

Thefe  ten  commandments  are  comprifed  in  two  5 
viz.  to  ferve  and  love  God,  and  thy  neighbour  as  thy- 
felf.     Amen, 

Nov/,  not  to  forget  any  thing  that  may  inftra6t  the 
public,  it  is  to  the  purpofe  to  give  an  account  of  the 
little  children's  confeiTions  :  I  mean  of  thofe  that  have 
not  yet  attained  the  feventh  year  of  their  agre  1  for  at 
leven  they  begin  moft  commonly  to  receive  the  facra- 
ment,  and  confefs  in  private  with  all  the  formalities  of 
their  church. 

There  is  in  every  city,  in  every  parifh,  in  every  town 
and  village,  a  Lent  preacher  ;  and  there  is  but  one  dif- 
ference among  them,  viz.  that"  fome  preachers  do  preach 
every  day  in  Lent,  fome  three  fermons  a  week  ;  fome 
two,  viz.  on  Wednefdays  and  Sundays,  and  fome  only  on 
Sundays,  and  the  holy  days  that  happen  to  fall  in  Lent, 
The  preacher  of  the  parifli  pitches  upon  one  day  of  the 
week,  moft  commonly,  in  the  middle  of  Lent,  to  hear 
the  children's  confeffions,  and  gives  notice  to  the  con- 
gregation the  Sunday  before,  that  every  father  of  a  family 
may  fend  his  children,  both  boys  and  girls,  to  church, 
on  the  day  appointed^  in  the  afternocn.     The  mothers 

drels 


24  AMASfER-KET 

drefs  their  children  the  bed  they  can  that  day,  and  give 
them  the  offering  money  for  the  expiation  of  their  fms. 
That  afternoon  is  a  holy  day  in  the  pariih,  not  by  pre- 
cept, but  by  cuftom,  for  no  parifhioner,  either  old  or 
young,  man  or  woman,  miffeth  to  go  and  hear  the  chil- 
dren's confefTions.  For  it  is  reckoned,  among  them,  a 
greater  diverfion  than  a  comedy,  as  you  may  judge  by 
the  following  account. 

The  day  appointed,  the  children  repair  to  church 
at  three  of  the  clock,  where  the  preacher  is  waiting  for 
them  with  a  long  reed  in  his  hand  ;  and  when  all  are 
together,  (fometimes  150  in  number,  and  fometimes  lefs) 
the  reverend  Father  placeth  them  in  a  circle  round  him- 
felf,  and  then  kneeling  down  (the  children  alfo  doing 
the  fame)  makes  the  fign  of  the  crofs,  and  fays  a  ihorc 
prayer.  This  done,  he  exhorteth  the  children  to  hide 
no  (in  from  him,  but  to  tell  him  all  they  have  commit- 
ted. Then  he  ftrikes,  with  the  reed,  the  child  whom  he 
defis!:ns  to  confefs  the  firil,  and  afks  him  the  followino; 
queftions. 

CGnfeJfor.  How  long  is  it  fince  you  lad  ccnfefled. 

Boy.  Father,  a  whole  year,  or  the  laft  Lent. 

Conf.  And  how  many  fins  have  you  committed  from 
that  time  till  now  ? 

Boy.  Two  dozen. 

Now  the  ConfelTor  afks  round  about. 

Conf.  And  you  ? 

Boy.  A  thouland  and  ten. 

Another  will  fay  a  bag  full  of  fmall  lies,  and  ten  big 
fins  %  and  fo  one  after  another  anfwtrs,  and  tells  many 
childifh  things. 

Conf.  But  pray,  you  fay,  that  you  have  committed 
ten  big  fins,  tell  mc,  how  big  ? 

•Boy.  As  big  as  a  tree. 

Conf.  But  tell  me  the  fins. 

Bey.  Tkere  is  one  fin  1  committed,  which  I  dare  not 
tell  your  reverence  before  all  the  people  •,  for  fome  bo- 
dy here  prefent  will  kill  me,  if  he  heareth  me. 

Conf. 


td    F  O  P  E  R  r,  25 

Conf.  Well,  come  out  of  the  circle,  and  tell  it  me. 

They  both  go  out,  and  with  a  loud  voice,  he  tells 
him,  that  fuch  a  day  he  ftole  a  nell  of  fparrows  from 
a  tree  of  another  boy's,  and  that  if  he  knew  it,  he 
would  kill  him.  Then  both  came  again  into  the  cir- 
cle, and  the  Father  afl<:s  other  boys  and  girls  fo  many 
ridiculous  queflions,  and  the  children  anfwer  him  fo 
many  pleafant,  innocent  things,  that  the  congregation 
laughs  all  the  while.  One  will  fay,  that  his  fins  are 
red,  another  that  one  of  his  fins  is  white,  one  black, 
and  one  green,  ^  and  in  thefe  trifling  queftions  they 
fpend  two  hours  time.  When  the  congregation  is 
weary  of  laughing,  the  Confefibr  gives  the  children  a 
correction,  and  bids  'em  not  to  fm  any  more,  for  a 
black  boy  takes  along  with  him  the  wicked  children  : 
Then  he  afks  the  offering,  and  after  he  has  got  all 
from  'em,  gives  'em  the  penance  for  their  fins.  To 
one  he  fays,  I  give  you  for  penance,  to  eat  a  fweet  cake, 
to  another,  riot  to  go  to  fchool  the  day  following.  To 
another,  to  delire  his  mother  to  buy  him  a  new  hat, 
and  fuch  things  as  thefe,  and  pronouncing  the  words 
of  abfolution,  he  difmiffeth  the  congregation  with 
Amen^  fo  be  iti,  every  year.  • 

Thefe  are  the  firft  foundations  of  the  Romtjh  reli- 
gion for  youth.  Nov/,  O  reader  !  You  may  make  re- 
flexions upon  it,  and  the  more  you  will  refledl,  fo  much 
the  more  you  will  hate  the  corruptions  of  that  com- 
munion, and  it  fhall  evidently  appear  to  you,  that  the 
fcrious,  religious  inflirudliort  of  our  churchy  as  to  the 
youth,  is  reafonable,  folid,  and  without  reproach.  O  1 
that  all  Proteflants  would  remember  the  rules  they 
learned  from  their  teachers  in  their  youth,  and  prac- 
tife  'em  while  they  live  !  Sure  I  am,  they  fliould  be  like 
angels  on  earth,  and  bleffed  for  ever  after  death  in 
heaven. 

From  feven  till  fifteen,  there  is  no  extraordinary 
thing  to  fay  of  young  people,  only  that  from  feven 
years  of  age,  they  begin  to  confefs  in  private,  and  re- 

C  ceive 


26  AMASTER'KET 

ceive  the  facrament  in  public.  The  ConfefTors  have 
very  little  trouble  with  fuch  young  people,  and  like- 
wife  little  profit,  except  with  a  Puella^  who  fometimes 
begins  at  twelve  years  the  courfe  of  a  lewd  life,  and 
then  the  Confefibr  finds  bufinefs  and  profit  enough, 
when  fhe  comes  to  confels.  Now  I  come  to  give  an 
account  of  feveral  private  confelTions  of  both  fexes, 
beginning  from  people  of  fifteen  years  of  age.  The 
confcfTion  is  a  dialogue  between  the  Spiritual  Father 
and  the  impenitent  •,  therefore  I  (hail  deliver  the  con- 
fe(r«)t*8  in  a  way  of  dialogue.  The  letter  C.  fignifies 
Confeffor^  and  feveral  other  letters,  the  names  of  the 
penitent. 

^he  confejjion  of  a  young  woman  in  Zaragoza,  whom  I 
Jhall  call  Mary.  And  this  I  fet  down  chiefly  to  Jhew 
the  common  form  of  their  confeffmg  penitents  :  The 
thi7ig  was  not  public  \  and  therefore  I  give  it  under  a 
Juppofed  name, 

r  f  (T  T  T  ^  ^  ^^^g  ^s  it  fince  you  laft  con- 
LonjeJJor,   j-j^  ^^^^^  p 

Mary,  It  is  tv/o  years  and  two  months. 

Conf.  Pray,  do  you  know  the  commandments  of 
our  holy  mother  the  church  ? 

Mary.  Yea,  Father. 

Conf,  Rehearfe  them.  ^ 

Mary.  The  commandments  of  our  holy  mother, 
the  church,  are  five.  I.  To  hear  Mafs  on  Sundays  and 
holy- days.  II.  To  confefs,  at  leafl,  once  in  a  year,  and 
oftener,  if  there  be  danger  of  death.  III.  To  receive 
the  euchariit.  IV.  To  fad.  V.  To  pay  tithes  and 
Primitia.  * 

Co7tf,  Now  rehearfe  the  feven  facraments. 

Mary,  The  facraments  of  the  holy  mother,  the 
church,    are   feven.      1.  Baptifm.     II.  Confirmation. 

III.  Penance. 


*  Primitiah  to  pay,  befides  the  tenth,  one  thirtieth  part  of  the 
fruits  of  the  earth,  towards  the  repair  of  ths  eherch-veftments,  l^u 


to     P  0  P  E  R  r.  ly 

III.  Penance.     IV.  The  Lord's  fupper.     V.  Extreme 
undion.     VI.  Holy  orders.     VII.  Matrimony.  Amen: 

Conf.  You  fee  in  the  fecond  commandment  of  the 
church,  and  in  the  third,  among  the  facraments,  thac 
you  are  obliged  to  confefs  every  year.  Why,  then, 
have  you  negledled  fo  much  longer  a  time  to  fulfil  the 
precept  of  our  holy  mother? 

Mary,  As  I  am  young,  and  a  great  finner,  I  was 
afliamed,  reverend  Father,  to  confefs  my  fins  to  the 
Pried  of  our  parifh,  for  fear  he  Ihould  know  me  by 
fome  palfages  of  my  life,  which  would  be  prejudicial 
to  me,  and  to  feveral  other  perfons  related  to  my  fa- 
mily. 

Conf.  But  you  know  that  it  is  the  indifpenfable  duty 
of  the  miniller  of  the  parifh,  to  expofe  in  the  church, 
after  Rafter,  all  thole  who  have  not  confefifed,  nor  re- 
ceived the  facrament  before  that  time. 

Mary.  1  do  knov/  it  very  v/ell  •,  but  I  went  out  of 
the  city  towards  the  middle  of  Lent,  and  I  did 
not  come  back  again  till  after  Eafter  -,  and  when  I  was 
aflced  in  the  country,  whether  I  had  confefiTcd  that 
Lent  or  not  ?  *I  faid,  that  I  had  done  it  in  the  city  : 
And  when  the  miniller  of  the  parifh  did  afk  me  the 
fame  queftion,  I  told  him,  that  I  had  done  it  in  the 
country  :  So,  with  this  lie,  I  free'd  myfclf  from  the  pub-* 
lie  cenfure  of  the  church. 

Conf,  And  did  you  perform  the  lail  penance  impo- 
fed  upon  you  ? 

Mary,  Yea,  Father,  but  not  with  that  exa(flnef3  I 
was  commanded. 

Conf,  What  was  the  penance  } 

Mary.  To  fall:  three  days  upon  bread  and  water^ 
end  to  give  cenreals  of  plate,  (i)  &  to  fay  five  MafTes  for 
the  fouls  in  purgatory.  I  did  perform  the  firft  parr, 
but  not  the  fecond,  becaufe  I  could  not  get  money  for 
it,  unknown  to  my  parents  at  that  time. 

C  2  ■  Conf 


(i)  A  real  of  phte  is  about  feven  p^nce  of  oar  money  in  Irt-* 
iand. 


28  AMASrER^KET 

Conf.  Tfcf  you  promife  me  to  perform  it,  as  foon  as 
you  can  ? 

Mar^^  1  have  the  money  here,  which  I  will  leave 
with  you;^'^|j«jdvyo%;i:ay  fay,  or  order  another  Frieft  to 
fay  the  MafiS^;v 

Conf.  Very  well :  But  tell  me  now,  what  reafon 
have  you  to  come  to  confefs  out  of  the  time  appointed 
by  the  church  ?  Is  it  for  devotion,  to  quiet  your  con- 
fcience,  and  merely  to  make  your  peace  with  God  Al- 
mighty, or  fome  worldly  end  ? 

Mary.  Good  Father,  pity  my  condition,  and  pray 
put  me  in  the  right  way  of  falvation,  for  I  am  ready  to 
defpair  of  God's  mercy,  if  you  do  not  quiet  and  eafe 
my  troubled  confcience.  Now  I  will  an  Twer  to  your 
queftion  :  The  reaion  is,  becaufe  a  gentleman,  who 
under  promife  of  marriage,  has  kept  me  thefe  two  laft 
years,  is  dead  two  months  ago  ;  and  I  have  refolved  irt 
my  heart  to  retire  myfelf  into  a  monaflery,  and  to  end 
there  my  dayS^  ferving  God  and  his  holy  mother,  the 
Virgin  Mary. 

Conf.  Do  not  take  any  refolution  precipitately,  for, 
may  be,  if  your  pafTion  grows  cool,  you'll  alter  your 
mind  ;  and  I  lufped:,  with  a  great  deal  of  reafon,  that 
your  repentance  is  not  fincere,  and  that  you  come  to 
confefs  out  of  forrow  for  the  gentleman's  death,  more 
than  out  of  forrow  for  your  fms  ;  and  if  it  be  fo,  I  ad- 
vife  you  to  take  more  time  to  confider  the  ftate  of 
your  confcience,  and  to  come  to  me  a  fortnight 
hence. 

Mary.  My  father,  all  the  world  fliall  not  alter  my 
mind,  and  the  daily  remorfe  of  my  confcience  brings 
me  to  your  feet,  with  a  full  refolution  to  confefs  all 
my  fins,  in  order  to  obtain  abfolutipn,  and  to  live  a  new 
life  hereafter. 

Conf  If  it  is  fo,  let  us,  in  the  name  of  God,  begin- 
the  confeflion,  and  I  require  of  you  not  to  forget  any 
circumftance  of  fin,  which  may  contribute  to  -^afe  your 
confcience.     And,  above  all,  I  defire  of  you  to  lay  afidc 

fhame. 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  29 

ftiame,  while  you  confefs  your  fins  ;  for,  fuppofe  that 
your  fins  exceed  the  number  of  ftars,  or  the  number  of 
the  lands  of  the  fea,  God's  mercy  is  infiriite,  and  ac- 
cepts of  the  true  penitent  heart,  for  he  wills  not  the 
death  of  a  finner,  but  that  he  fl\ould  repent  and  turn  to 
him. 

Mary.  I  do  defign  to  open  freely  my  heart  to  you, 
^nd  to  follow  your  advice,  as  to  the  fpiritual  courfe  of 
my  life. 

Conf.  Begin  then  by  the  firfi:  commandment. 

Mary.  I  do  confefs,  in  this  commandment,  that  I 
have  not  loved  God  above  all  things  -,  for  all  my  care, 
thcle  two  years  paft,  has  been  to  pleafe  Don  Francifco, 
in  whatever  thing  he  did  defire  me  ;  and,  to  the  belt  of 
my  memory,  I  did  not  think  of  God,  nor  of  his  mother 
Mary^  for  many  months  together. 

Conf.  Have  you  confl:antly  frequented  the  afTemblies 
of  the  faithful,  and  heard  Mafs  on  Sundays^  and  holy 
days  ? 

Mary.  No,  Father  :  Sometimes  I  have  been  four 
months  without  goins;  to  church. 

Conf.  You  have  done  a  great  injury  to  your  foul, 
and  you  have  given  great  fcandal  to  your  neighbours, 

Mary.  As  for  the  firfi:,  I  own  it  ;  for  every  Sunday 
and  holy  day  I  went  out  in  the  morning,  and  in  fo  po- 
pulous a  city  they  could  not  know  the  church  I  ufe 
to  refort  to, 

Conf.  Did  it  come  into  your  mind  all  this  while,  that 
God  would  punifii  you  for  your  fins  ? 

Mary.  Yea,  Father  :  But  the  Virgin  Mary  is  my  ad- 
vocate, I  keep  her  image  by  my  bed- fide,  and  ufed  to 
addrefs  my  prayer  to  her  every  night  before  I  went  to 
bed,  and  I  had  always  a  great  hope  in  her. 

Conf.  If  your  devotion  to  the  Virgin  Mary  is  fofer- 
vent,  you  mufi:  believe  that  your  heart  is  moved  to 
repentance  by  her  influence  and  mediation  •,  and  I 
charge  you  to  continue  the  lame  devotion  v/hile  you 
live,  and  fear  nothing  afterwards. 

Mary* 


30  A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

Mary.  That  is  my  defign. 

Conf.  Go  on. 

Mary.  The  fecond  commandment  is,  Th(PuJhalt  not- 

Jwear  :  I  never  v/as  guilty  of  iwearing,  but  J  have  a 

Guftom  of  faying,  Such  a  thing  is  fo^  as  Jure  as  there  is 

a  God  in  heaven  :  And   this  1  repeat  very  often  every 

day. 

Conf.  That  is  a  finful  cuftom,  for  we  cannot  fwear, 
nor  affirm  a  thing  by  heaven  or  earth,  as  the  fcripture 
tells  us  ',  and  lefs  by  him  who  has  the  throne  of  his  ha- 
bitation in  heaven  :  So  you  muft  break  off  that  cuftom, 
or  elfe  you  commit  a  fin  every  time  you  make  ufe  of 
it.    Go  on. 

Mary.  The  third  is,  'Thou  jhalt  fanElify  the  holy  days, 
I  have,  told  you  already,  my  fpiritual  Father,  that  I 
have  negledled,  fome  time,  to  go  to  Mafs,  four  months 
together  ;  and,  to  the  bed  of  my  memory,  in  thefe  two 
years  and  two  months,  I  have  miffed  fixty  Sundays  and 
holy  days  going  to  Mafs,  and  when  I  did  go,  my  mind 
was  fb  much  taken  up  with  other  diverfions,  that  1  did 
not  mind  the  rcquifite  devotion,  for  which  I  am  hearti- 
ly forry. 

Corf.  I  hope  you  will  not  do  fo  for  the  future  •,  artd 
fo  go  on. 

Mary,  The  fourth  is,  'Ihou  /halt  honor  father  and 
mother.  I  have  father  and  mother  ;  as  to  my  father, 
I  do  love,  honor  and  fear  him  ♦,  as  to  my  niother,  I  do 
confefs,  that  I  have  anfwered  and  a6led  contrary  to  the 
duty,  refped  and  reverence  due  to  her,  for  her  fufped- 
ing  and  watching  my  adions  and  falfe  fteps,  and  giving 
me  a  chrillian  corredion,  1  have  abufed  her,  nay,  fome- 
times,  I  have  lift  up  my  hand  to  thereaten  her-,  and 
thefe  proceedings  of  mine  towards  my  good  mother, 
torture  now  my  heart. 

Conf.  I  am  glad  to  obferve  your  grief,  and  you  may 
be  fure,  God  will  forgive  you  thefe  and  other  fins  upon 
your  hearty  repentance,  if  you  perfeverejn  it.     Go  on. 

Mary,  The  fifth  is,  I'houJJjah  not  kill     I  have  pot 

tranfgrefled 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


s« 


tranfgrelTed  this  commandment  effedively  and  imme- 
diately, but  I  have  done  it  affedlively  and  mediately, 
and  at  fecond  hand  ;  for  a  gentlewoman,  who  was  a 
great  hindrance  to  my  defigns,  once  provoked  me  to 
fuch  a  pitch,  that  I  put  in  execution  all  the  means  of 
revenge  I  could  think  of,  and  gave  ten  pifloles  to  an 
affafTin  to  take  away  her  life. 
^  Conf.  And  did  he  kill  her  ? 

Mary,  No,  Father,  for  (he  kept  her  houfe  for  three 
months,  and  in  that  time  we  were  reconciled,  and  now 
we  are  very  good  friends. 

Conf.  Have  you  afked  her  pardon,  and  told  her  your 
defign  ? 

Mary.  I  did  not  tell  her  in  exprefs  terms,  but  I  told 
her  that  I  had  an  ill  will  to  her,  and  that  at  that  time, 
I  could  have  killed  her,  had  I  got  an  opportunity  for, 
it :  For  which  I  heartily  begged  her  pardon  ;  fhe  did, 
forgive  me,  and  fo  we  live  ever  fmce  like  two  filters. 

Conf.  Go  on. 

Mary.  The  fixth,  'Thou  fh alt  not  commit  fornication. 
In  the  firft  place,  I  do  confels  that  I  have  unlawfully, 
converfed  with  the  faid  Don  Francijco.,  for  two  years, 
and  this  unlawful  commerce  has  made  me  fall  into 
many  other  (ins. 

Ccnf.  Did  he  promife  folemnly  to  marry  you  ? 

Mary.  He  did,  but  could  not  perform  it,  while  his 
father  was  alive. 

Conf.  Tell  me,  from  the  beginning,  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  &  to  the  beft  of  your  memory,  your  finful  tho'ts 
words,  adlions,  nay,  your  very  dreams,  about  this  matter. 

Mary,  Father,  the  gentleman  was  our  neighbour  of 
a  good  family  and  fortune,  and  by  means  of  the  neigh- 
bourly friendfhip  of  our  parents,  we  had  the  opportu- 
nity to  talk  with  one  another  as  often  as  we  pleafed. 
For  two  years  together  we  loved. one  another  with  inno- 
cence.; but  at  lail  he  difcovered  to  me  one  day,  when 
.^ur  parents  wer^  abroad,  the  great  inclination  he  had 
fcf  me  i  and  that  having  grown  to  apaiTion,  and  this 

to 


52..  J  M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

to  an  inexpreflible  love,  he  could  no  longer  hide  it  from 
me  :  That  his  defign  was  to  marry  me,  as  foon  as  his 
father  Ihould  die,  and  that  he  was  willing  to  give  me 
all  the  proofs  of  fincerity  and  unfeigned  love,  I  could 
defire  from  him.  To  this  I  anfwered,  that  if  it  was  fo, 
*I  was  ready  to  promife  never  to  marry  another,  during 
his  life  :  To  this,  he  took  a  crucifix  in  his  hands,  and 
bowing  down  before  an  image  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  cal- 
led the  four  elements  to  be  witnelTes  of  the  fincerity 
of  his  vov/s,  nay,  all  the  faints  of  the  heavenly  court, 
to  appear  againfl  him  in  the  day  of  judgment,  if  he 
was  not  true  in  his.  heart  and  words ;  and  laid,  that  by 
the  crucifix  in  his  hands,  and  by  the  image  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mary^  there  prefcnt,  he  did  promife  and  fwear  ne- 
ver to  m^arry  another  during  my  life.  I  anfwered  him 
in  the  fame  manner  ;  and  everfince,  we  have  lived  with 
the  familiarities  of  hufband  and  wife.  The  efPtdl  of 
this  reciprocal  promife  was  the  ruin  of  my  foul,  and 
the  beginning  of  my  finful  life  ;  for  ever  fince,  I  mind- 
ed nothing  elfe,  but  to  pleafe  him  and  myfelf,  when  I 
had  opportunity  for  it. 

Conf.  How  often  did  he  vifit  you  ? 

Mary.  The  firft  year  he  came  to  my  room  every 
night,  after  both  families  were  gone  to  bed  ;  for  in  the 
vault  of  his  houfe,  which  joins  to  ours,  we  dug  one 
night  through  the  earth,  and  made  a  pafTage  wide  e- 
nough  for  the  purpofe,  which  we  covered  on  each  fide 
vi'vi\\  a  large  earthen  water-jar  ;  and  by  that  m.eans  he 
came  to  me  every  night.  But  my  grief  is  double,  when 
I  confider,  that,  engaging  my  own  maid  into  this  in- 
trigue, I  have  been  the  occafion  of  her  ruin  too-,  for 
by  my  ill  example,  fhe  lived  in  the  fame  way  with  the 
gentleman's  fervant,  and  1  own,  that  I  have  been  the 
occafion  of  all  her  fins  too. 

Ccnf.  And  the  fecond  year  did  he  vifit  you  fo  often  ? 

Mary.  No,  father  •,  far  the  breach  in  the  vault  was 
difcovered  by  his  father,  and  was  (lopped  immediately  ; 
but  nobody  fufpecled  any  thing  of  our  intimacy,  except 

my 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


31 


my  mother,  who  from  fomething  (lie  had  obferved,  be- 
gan to  qucftion  me,  and  afterwards  became  more  fuipi- 
cious  and  watchful. 

Conf.  Did  any  effe6l  of    thefe  vifits  come  to  light  ? 

Mary.  It  would,  had  I  not  been  fo  barbarous  and 
inhuman  to  prevent  it,  by  a  remedy  1  took,  which  an- 
fwered  my  purpofe.  i 

Conf.  And  how  could  you  get  the  remedy,  there  be- 
ing a  rigorous  law  againft  it  ? 

Mary,  The  procuring  it  brought  me  into  a  yet 
wickeder  life  \  for  I  was  acquainted  with  a  Fryar,  a 
eoufin  of  mine,  who  had  always  exprefled  a  great  efteem 
for  me  ;  but  one  day  after  dmner,  being  alone,  he  be- 
gan to  make  love  to  me,  and  was  going  to  take  greater 
liberties  than  ever  he  had  done  before :  I  told  him,  that 
if  he  could  keep  a  fecret,  and  do  me  a  fervice,  I  would 
comply  with  his  defire.  He  did  promife  me  to  do  it 
upon  the  word  of  a  prieft.  Then  I  told  him  my  bu- 
finefs,  and  the  day  after  he  brought  me  the  neceffary 
medicine  \  and  ever  fince  I  was  freed  from  that  unea- 
finefs,  I  have  lived  the  fame  courfe  of  life  with  my  cou- 
lin  •,  nay,  as  I  was  under  fuch  an  obligation  to  him,  I 
have  ever  fince  been  obliged  to  allow  him  many  other 
liberties  in  my  houfe. 

Conf.  Are  thofe  other  liberties,  he  took  in  your  houfe, 
fmful  or  not  ? 

Mary.  The  liberties  that  I  mean  are,  that  he  defi- 
red  me  to  gratify  his  companion  too,  feveral  times,  and 
to  confent  that  my  maid  fliould  fatisfy  his  lufls  \  and 
not  only  this,  but,  by  deliring  me  to  corrupt  one  of  my 
friends,  he  has  ruined  her  foul ;  for,  being  in  the  fame 
condition  I  had  been  in  before,  I  was  obliged,  out  of 
fear,  to  furnifn  her  with  the  fame  remedy,  which  pro- 
duced the  fame  effed.  Befides  thefe  wicked  acSlions, 
I  have  robbed  my  parents  to  fupply  him  with  whatever 
money  he  demanded. 

Conf.  But  as  to  Don  Francifco^  pray  tell  me,  how 
oftea  did  he  vifit  ycu  fince  ? 

Mciry, 


34,  AMASTER-^KET 

Mary,  The  fecond  year  he  could  not  fee  me  in  pri- 
vate but  very  feldom,  and  in  a  facred  place  ;  for  having 
no  opportunity  at  home,  nor  abroad,  I  ufed  to  go  to  a, 
little  chapel  out  of  the  town  •,  and  having  p,ained  the 
hermit  with  money,  we  continued  our  commerce,  that 
way,  for  fix  or  eight  times  the  fecond  year. 
0  Conf,  Your  fins  are  aggravated,  both  by  the  circum- 
ftance  of  the  facred  place,  and  by  your  coufin's  being  a 
Prieft,  befides  the  two  murthers  committed  by  you, 
one  in  yourfelf,  and  t'other  in  your  friend.  Nay,  go  on, 
if  you  have  any  more  to  fay  upon  this  fubjedl. 

Mary.  I  have  nothing  elfe  to  fay,  as  to  the  com- 
mandment, but  thatl  am  heartily  forry  for  all  thefemy 
mifdoings. 

Conf.  Go  on. 

Mary.  The  feventh,  Thou  flmlt  not  fteal.  T  have 
nothing  to  confefs  in  this  commandment,  but  what  I 
have  told  you  already,  i.  e.  that  I  have  ftolen  many 
things  from  my  father's  houfe,  to  fatisfy  my  cou fin's 
thirit  of  money  •,  and  that  I  have  advifed  my  friend  to 
do  the  fame  ;  though  this  was  done  by  me,  only  for 
fear  that  he  fhould  expofe  us,  if  we  had  not  given  him 
what  he  did  defire. 

Conf.  And  do  you  defign  to  continue  the  fame  life 
with  your  coufin  for  fear  of  being  difcovered  ? 

Mary.  No,  Father ;  for  he  is  lent  to  another  convent 
;  to  be  profeflbr  of  divinity  for  three  years,  and   if  he 
\  Gomes  back  again,    he  fhall  find  me  in  a   monaftery  ; 
I  and  then  I  will  be  fafe,  and   free  from  his  wicked  at- 
tempts. 

Conf.  How  long  is  it  fince  he  went  away  ? 

Mary.  Three  months,  and  his  companion  is  dead  ; 
io.,  God  be  thanked,  I  am  without  any  apprehenfion  or 
fear  now,  and  I  hope  to  lee  my  good  defign  accom- 
plifhed. 

Conf.  Goon. 

Mary.  The  eighth  is,  Thoufhalt  not  hear  falfe  wit- 
fjefs^  nor  lie.      The  ninth,    "Tbou  fhalt  not   covet  thy 

neighbour's 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T.  55 

neighbour's  wife.  The  tenth,  Thou  Jh alt  not  covet  the 
things  which  are  another^ s,  I  know  nothing  in  thefe 
three  commandments,  that  trouble  my  confcience  : 
Therefore,  1  conclude  by  confefling,  in  general  and  par- 
ticular, all  the  fins  of  my  whole  life,  committed  by 
thought,,  word  and  deed^  and  I  am  heartily  fbrry  for 
them  all,  and  afk  God's  pardon  and  your  advice,  pe- 
nance and  abfolution.     yhnen. 

Conf.  Have  you  tranfgrefTed  the  fourth  command- 
ment of  the  church  ? 

Mary,  Yea,  Father  ;  for  I  did  not  faft  as  it  pre* 
fcribes,  for  though  I  did  abftain  from  flelh,  yet  I  did 
not  keep  the  form  of  fading  thefc  two  years  paft  ;  but 
I  have  done  it  fince  the  gentleman's  'death. 

Conf,  Have  you  this  year  taken  the  bull  of  indulgen- 
cies  ? 

Mary.  Yea,  Father. 

Conf.  Have  you  vifited  five  altars,  the  days  appoint- 
ed for  his  holinefs  to  take  a  foul  out  of  purgatory  ? 

Mary.  I  did  not  for  feveral  days. 

Conf.  Do  you  promife  me,  as  a  minifler  of  God,  and 
as  if  you  were  now  before  the  tribunal  of  the  dreadful 
judge,  to  amend  your  life,  and  to  avoid  all  the  occafions 
of  falling  into  the  fame  or  other  fins,  and  to  frequent, 
for  the  future,  this  facrament,  and  the  others,  and  to 
obey  the  commandments  of  God,  as  things  abfolutely 
necefTary  to  the  falvation  of  your  foul  ? 

Mary.  That  is  my  defign  with  the  help  of  God,  and 
of  the  blefled  Virgin  Mary.,  in  whom  I  put  my  whole 
truft  and  confidence. 

Conf.  Your  contrition  mud  be  the  foundation  of  your 
new  life,  for  if  you  fall  into  other  fins  after  this  fignal 
benefit  you  have  received  from  God,  and  his  blefled 
mother,  of  calling  you  to  repentance,  it  will  be  a  hard 
thing  for  you  to  obtain  pardon  and  forgivenefs.  You 
fee  God  has  taken  away  all  the  obftacles  of  your  true 
repentance  \  pray  afk  continually  his  grace,  that  you 
may   make  good  ufe  of  thefe  heavenly  favours.     But 

you 


S6  'AMAS'TER-KET 

you  ought  to  confider,  that  though  you  fhall  be 
freed  by  my  abfol union,  from  the  eternal  pains  your 
manifold  fins  deferve,  you  fhall  not  be  free  from  the 
fufferings  of  purgatory,  where  your  foul  mult  be  purifi- 
ed by  fire,  if  you  in  this  prefent  life  do  not  take  care 
to  redeem  your  foul  from  that  terrible  flame,  by  order- 
ing fome  MafTcs  for  the  relief  of  the  fouls  in  purga- 
tory. 

Mary.  I  defign  to  do  it,  as  far  as  it  lies  in  my  power. 

Conf.  Now  to  ihew  your  obedience  to  God,  and  our 
mother,  the  church,  you  mufl  perform  the  following 
penance.  You  muft  fail  every  fecond  day,  to  mortify 
your  lufls  and  pafTions,  and  this  for  the  fpace  of  two 
months.  You  mufl  vifit  five  altars  every  fecond  day, 
and  one  privileged  altar,  and  fay  in  each  of  'cm  five 
times  fater-nofter^  i^c.  and  five  times  Ave  Mary ^^c. 
You  mufl  fay  too,  every  day  for  two  months  time,  three 
and  thirty  times  the  creed.,  in  honor  and  memory  of  the 
three  and  thirty  years  that  our  Saviour  did  live  upoa 
earth  •,  and  you  mufl  confefs  once  a  week  ;  that  by  the 
continuance  of  thefe  fpiritual  exercifes,  your  foul  may 
be  prefer ved  from  feveral  temptations,  and  may  be  hapr 
py  for  ever. 

Mary.  I  will  do  all  that  with  the  help  of  God. 

Conf.  Say  the  a6l  of  contrition,  while  I  abiolve  you. 

Mary.  O  God,  my  God,  I  have  finned  againfl  thee, 
I  am  heartily  forry,  &c. 

Conf.  Our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl  abfolve  thee  ;  and  by 
the  authority  given  me  I  abfolve  thee,  &c.  Amen. 

The  fecond.  A  private  confejfion  of  a  woman  to  a  Try- 
Ar  of  the  dominican  order.,  laid  down  in  writing  before 
the  moral  academy.,  ij^o,  and  the  opinions  of  the  mem- 
hers  about  it.,  the  perfon  was  not  known^  therefore  I 
fjall  call  her  Leon  ore. 

Leonore  did  confefs  to  F.  Jofeph  Riva  the  following 
mifdoings. 

Leonore., 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T.  37 

Leonore  A/T^  reverend  Father,  I  come  to  this 
*  iVJL  P^^ce  to  make   a  general  confeiTion 
t)f  all  the  fins  I  have  committed  in  the  whole  courfe  of 
my  life,  or  of  all  thofe  I  can  remember. 

Conf.  How  long  have  you  been  in  preparing  your- 
felt  for  this  general  confeflion  ? 

Leon.  Eight  days. 

Conf.  Eight  days  are  not  enough  to  recolledl  your- 
felf,  and  bring  into  your  memory  all  the  fins  of  your 
life. 

Leon.  Father,  have  patience  till  you  hear  me,  and 
then  you  may  judge  whether  my  confeflion  be  perfedl, 
or  imperfect. 

Conf.  And  how  long  is  it  fince  you  confefled  the  laft 
time  ? 

Leon.  The  laft  time  I  confefled  was  the  Sunday  be- 
fore Edjler.,  which  is  eleven  months  and  twenty 
days. 

Co7tf.  Did  you  accomplifti  the  penance  then  impofed 
upon  you  ? 

Leon,  Yea,  Father. 

Conf.  Begin  then  your  confeflion. 

Leon.  I  have  negledled  my  duty  towards  God,  by 
whofe  holy  name  I  have  many  times  fworn.  I  have 
not  fandified  his  holy  days  as  I  was  obliged  by  law, 
nor  honored  my  parents  and  fuperiors.  1  have  many 
and  many  times  defired  the  death  of  my  neighbours, 
when  I  was  in  a  paflion.  T  have  been  deeply  engaged 
in  amorous  intrigues  with  many  people  of  all  ranks, 
but  thefe  two  years  paft  moft  conftantly  with  Don  Pe- 
dro Hajla.,  who  is  the  only  fupport  of  my  life. 

Conf.  Now  I  find  out  the  reafon  why  you  have  fo 
long  negledled  to  come  to  confefs,  and  I  do  expedl,  that 
you  will  tell^  me  all  the  circumftances  of  your  life, 
that  I  may  judge  the  prefent  fl;ate  of  your  confci- 
cnce. 

Leon.  Father  :  As  for  the  fins  of  my  youth,  till  I 
was  i6  years  of  age,  they  are  of  no  great  confequence, 

and 


38  A    MASTER' KET 

and  I  hope  God  Almighty  will  pardon  me.     Now  my 
general  confefTion  begins  from  that  time,  when  I  fell;> 
into  the. firft  fin,  which  was  in  the  following  manner. 

The  Confeflbr  of  our  family  was  a  Francifcan  Fry- 
ar,  who  was  abfolute  mafter  in  our  houfe  ;  for  my  fa- 
ther and  mother  v/ere  entirely  governed  by  him.  It 
was  about  that  time  of  my  life  I  loft  my  mother ;  and  a 
month  after  her  my  father  died,  leaving  all  hisfubftance 
to  the  Father  ConfefTor,  to  difpofe  of  at  his  own  fancy, 
referving  only  a  certain  part  which  I  was  to  have  to 
fettle  me  in  the  world,  conditionally  that  if  I  was  obe- 
(iient  to  him.  A  month  after  my  father's  death,  on 
pretence  of  taking  care  of  every  thing  that  was  in  th© 
houle,  he  ordered  a  bed  for  himielf  in,  the  chamber 
n^xt  to  mine,  where  my  maid  alfo  ufed  to  lie.  After 
fupper,  the  firft  night  he  came  home,  he  addreft  himfelf 
thus  to  me.  My  daughter,  you  may  with  reafon  call 
me  your  father,  for  you  are  the  only  child  your  father 
left  under  my  care.  Your  patrimony  is  ih  my  hands, 
and  you  ought  to  obey  me  blindly  in  every  thing  :  So 
in  the  firft  place  order  your  maid's  bed  to  be  removed 
out  of  your  own  chamber  into  another.  Which  being 
done  accordingly,  we  parted  and  went  each  one  to  our 
own  room  \  but  an  hour  was  fcarcely  paft  away,  when 
the  Father  came  into  my  chamber,  and  what  by  flattery 
and  promifes,  and  what  by  threatnings,  he  deprived  me 
of  the  beft  patrimony,  my  innocence.  We  continued 
this  courfe  of  life  till,  as  I  believe,  he  was  tired  of  me  ; 
for  two  months  aJ"ter,  he  took  every  thing  out  of  the 
houie,  and  went  to  his  convent,  where  he  died  in  ten 
days  time  ;  and  by  his  death  I  loft  the  patrimony  left 
me  by  my  father,  and  with  it  all  my  kipport,  and  as 
my  parents  had  fpared  nothing  in  my  education,  and  I 
had  always  been  kept  in  the  greateft  affluence  of  every 
thing,  you  may  judge  how  I  was  aftected  by  the  mife- 
rable  circumftances  I  was  then  left  in,  with  fervants  to 
maintain,  and  nothing  in  iht  world  to  fupply  even  the 
neceiTary  expences  of  my  houfc.     This  made  me  the 

more 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T, 


39 


more  ready  to  accept  the  firft  offer  fliould  be  made 
mc,  and  my  condition  being  known- to  an  officer  of  the 
armv,  he  came  to  offer  me  his  humble  fervices.  I  com- 
phed  with  his  defire,  and  fo  for  two  years  we  lived  to- 
gether, till  at  lad  he  was  obliged  to  repair  to  his  regi- 
ment at  Catalonia  -,  and  though  he  left  me  appoint- 
ments more  than  fufRcient  for  my  fubfiftance  during 
his  abfence,  yet  all  our  correfpondence  was  loon  brok- 
en off  by  his  death,  which  happened  foon  after. 
Then,  refolving  to  alter  my  life  and  converfation,  I 
went  to  confefs,  and  after  having  given  an  account  to 
my  ConfelTor  of  my  life,  he,  afking  my  name,  did  pro- 
mife  to  come  next  day  to  fee  me,  and  to  put  me  into 
a  comfortable  and  credible  way  of  living.  1  was  very 
glad  to  get  fuch  a  patron,  and  fo  the  next  day  I  did 
wait  at  home  for  him.  ■ 

The  Father  came,  and  after  various  difcourfes,  he 
took  me  by  the  hand  into  my  chamber,  and  told  mc 
that  if  I  was  willing  to  put  in  his  hands  my  jewels, 
and  what  other  things  of  value  I  had  got  from  the  Of- 
ficer, he  would  eng;age  to  get  a  gentleman  fuitable  to 
my  condition  to  marry  me.  I  did  every  thing  as 
he  defired  me,  and  fo  taking  along  with  him  all  I 
had  in  the  world,  he  carried  them  to  his  cell. 

The  next  day  he  came  to  fee  me,  and  made  me  ano- 
ther propofal  very  different  from  what  I  expelled  ;  for 
he  told  me  that  I  muft  comply  with  his  defire,  or  elfe 
he  would  expole  me,  and  inform  againft  me  before  the 
holy  tribunal  of  the  inquifition  :  So,  rather  than  incur 
that  danger,  I  did  for  the  fpace  of  fix  months,  in  which, 
having  nothing  to  live  upon  (for  he  kept  my  jewels)  I 
was  obliged  to  abandon  myfelf  to  many  other  gentle- 
men, by  whom  I  was  m.aintained. 

At  lad  he  left  me,  and  I  dill  continued  my  wicked 
life,  unlawfully  converfing  with  married  and  unmarried 
gentlemen  a  whole  year,  and  not  daring  to  confefs,  for 
fear  to  go  to  find  the  fame  fuccefs  in  another  Con- 
fefTor. 

Conf, 


'40  A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

Conf.  But  how  could  you  fulfil  the  precept  of  the 
church,  and  not  be  expofed  in  the  church  after  Eafier^ 
ail  that  while. 

heon.  1  went  to  an  old  eafy  Father,  and  promifed 
him  a  piftole  for  a  certificate  of  confeflion,  which  he 
gave  me  without  further  inquiring  into  the  matter ;  and 
io  I  did  fatisfy  the  curate  of  the  paril>i  with  it.  But 
Jaft  year  I  went  to  confefs,  and  the  ConfeiTor  was  very 
flridl,  and  would  not  give  me  ablolution  becaule  I  was 
an  habitual  finner,  but  I  gave  him  five  piftoles  for  ten 
MafTes,  and  then  he  told  me  that  a  ConfeiTor's  duty  was 
to  take  care  of  the  fouls  in  purgatory,  and  that  upon 
their  account  he  could  not  ref  ufe  me  abfolution  ;  fo  by 
that  way  I  efcaped  the  cenfure  of  the  church. 

Conf,  How  long  is  it  fince  you  broke  off  your  finful 
lite  ? 

Leon.  But  fix  weeks. 

Cdnf.  I  cannot  abfolve  you  now,  but  come  again  next 
Thurfday^  and  I  will  confult  upon  all  the  circumllances 
of  your  life,  and  then  1  will  abfolve  you. 

Leon.  Father,  I  have  more  to  fay  :  For  I  flole  from 
the  church  a  chalice,  by  the  advice  of  the  faid  Confef- 
for,  and  he  made  ufe  himfelf:  of  the  money  I  got  for  the 
filver,  which  I  cut  in  pieces  ^  and  I  did  converfe  un- 
lawfully feveral  times  in  the  church  with  him.  To 
this  I  mull  add  an  infinite  number  of  fins  by  thought^ 
word,  and  deed,  I  have  committed  in  thk  time,  efpe- 
cially  with  the  laft  perfon  ot  my  acquaintance,  though 
at  prefent  I  am  free  from  him.  \ 

Cofjf.  Pray  give  me  leave  to  confi^ilt  upon  all  thefe 
things,  and  I  will  refolve  them  to  you  the  next  confeP 
fion  ;  now  go  in  peace. 

TH  E  firft  point  to  be  refolved  was,  whether  Leo- 
nore  could  fue  the  Francifcan  covent  for  the  pa- 
trimony left  by  her  father  in  the  ConfefiTor's  hands  ? 

The  prefident  went  through  all  the  reafons  pro  arid 
con^  and  after  refolved,  that  though  the  faid  Leonore 

was 


,,» 


to     P  0  P  E  R  r.  41, 

*vas  iieyer  difobeciienc  ro  ht^r  Co'  feFor,  (he  coulj  not 
fuf  the  coma^unity  without  the  Irfifcning  of  her  owa 
reputation,  and  laying  upon  (he  od.  r  lo  b!a'  k  a  crime, 
as  that  of  he  c-nttllbr  ;  and  that  it  was. the  e(^mn.<>n 
maxim  of  all  Cauilts  that,  In  rebus  duhiis,' minium  eft 
fequendum^  in  thi.jgs  r»oubcfui,  that  ot'the  leait  ev.i  c^;n- 
kquence  is  to  be  purfued  ;  and  feeino;  the  Icifmg  of 
her  patiim  )ny  would  be  lets  damage  than  the  txp  'rin:T 
of  the  W' oleFri'nciKan  order,  &  her  o^A/nn  putation:  Ic 
did  feem  prtjper  t<>  leave  the  thing  as  it  wa^. 

7  he  iccond  poir.t  to  b>  refolved  was,  Whaher  Leo- 
nore  was  in  proxima  occap.une  peccati,  in  the  next  occaii  >n 
ot  fm,  with  Rich  aeon  cfior  the  two  firit  months  ? 

•Six  members  of  the  acaoemv  did  think  that  fhe 
was  ;  for  immediate  occaQon  ot  fin  fignifies,  that  the 
perfon  may  fatisfy  his  pafTi  )ns  toties  quoties,  without  any^ 
impedinient,  which  Leoncre  ci  uid  c.o  all  that  while. 
But  the  other  members  of  the  academy  did  object 
againfl  it  :  That  ih^  nature  of  cccafio  proxima^  belides 
the  faid  reafon,  implies  freedom  and  liberty,  which  Leo* 
fiore  did  want  at  that  time,  being  as  fhe  was  young,, 
unexperienced,  timorous,  an!  under  the  ConielTor's 
care  and  power ;  fo  it  was  ref<jlved,  that  fhe  was  not 
the  firft  two  months  in  promna  occafione  peccati. 

The  third  p(^int :  Whether  flie  committed  gieater 
fin  with  the  fecond  Confcflor,  who  threatened  her  with 
the  inquifition  ?  And  whether  Ihe  was  obliged  to  un- 
dergo all  the  hardfhips  nay  death  itfelf,  rather  thaa 
comply  with  the  ConfefTor's  defire  ? 

It  was  relclved  nemins  contradicente^  that  fhe  w^as  o- 
blioed  tor  felf-prelervation's  fake  to  comply  with  the 
J'ryar's  defire,  and  therefore  her  fin  was  leis  than  other 
fins. 

The  fourth  :  Whether  fhe  wa<^  obliged  to  make  refli- 
tution  of  the  chal  ce  fhe  ilule  outot  tne  church  by  tiie 
advice  ot  the  conleflbr  ?  -  V ^ 

The  members  could  not  agree  in  thecWeiiioa  ofititia 
point,  for  fome  wcreot  opinion,  that  boUi:flic,An^.;%s 


'42  JMJSTER-KEr 

Fryar  were  obJiged  to  make  reditntion,  grounded  in  the 
moral  maxim :  F6icienteSy  et  confentientes  erJcmpanapuni^ 
Untur,  thole  that  ad:&  thole  who  confentareto  bepunifh- 
eci  ahke.  Others  faid  ihac  Leonore  was  only  an  inftiument 
of  theft,  and  that  the  Fryar  did  put  her  in  the  way  of 
doing  what  fhe  never  had  done,  but  for  f^ar  of  him,  and 
that  ihe  was  forced  to  do  it  -,  therefore  that  fhe  had  not 
committed  facrilege,  nay,  nor  venial  ^\-\  by  it ;  and  that 
the  Fryar  only  was  guilty  of  facrilt-ge  and  robbery,  and 
obliged  to  make  reltitution.  Upon  this  divifion,  the 
reverend  Mr.  Jnt,  Pakmo,  then  profefTor  of  philofophy,- 
was  appointed  to  lay  the  cafe  before  the  members  of 
the  great  academy,  with  this  limitation,  that  he  fiiould 
not  mention  any  thing  of  the  Fryar  in  it  -,  except  the 
members  of  the  academy  fhould  aikhim  the  aggrava- 
ting circumftanccs  in  the  cafe. 

He  did  it  accordingly,  and  being  afked  by  the  prefi- 
dcnt  about  the  circumftances,  it  was  refolved  that  Le^ 
cnore  was  free  from  reftitution,  taking  a  bull  of  pardons, 
i^nd  as  for  the  Fryar,  by  his  belongmg  to  the  commu- 
nity, and  having  nothing  of  his  own,  and  obliged  x.6 
leave,  at  his  death,  every  thing  to  the  convent,  he  muft 
be  excufed  from  making  fuch  reftitution,  ^<f. 

The  fifth  point :  Whether  ''Jat  church  was  defecrated 
by  their  unlawful  commerce  ?  And  whether  the  Con* 
fefibr  was  obiio;ed  to  reveal  the  nature  of  the  thing;  ta 
the  bifhop,  or  not  ? 

As  to  the  firil  part,  all  did  agree,  that  the  church  wai 
polluted.  As  to  the  fecond,  four  were  of  opinion,  that 
the  thing  was  to  be  revealed  to  the  bifliop  in  general 
terms  :  But  fixteen  did  ohjed  a^ainil  ir,  and  faid,  that 
the  dominical,  afperges  me  Hyjopo^  &f  mundahr,  thou 
ihall  fprinkle  me  with  Hviop,  and  I  fhall  be  clean,  &c. 
When  the  prieft  with  holy  water  and  Hyfop,  fpnnkles 
the  cnurch,  it  was  enough  to  relf  ore  &  purify  the  cKuicn* 

After  which,  the  prefident  moved  another  quiftion, 
viz.  \Vhether  this  private  confeflion  was  to  bi-  entered 
in  the  academy's  book  >  ad  perpetuam  ret   memQriam, 


"fa    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


43 


in  perpetual  rremory  of  the  thing.  And  it  was  agreed 
to  enter  the  cafes  and  refolutions,  mentioning  nothing 
concerning  the  ConfefTors,  nor  their  orders.  Lem,  \t 
was  refjlved  that  the  proponent  could  fately  in  confci- 
ence  abfjlve  Leonore  the  next  contefll on,  it  fhe  had  the 
bull  of  indulgences  \  and  promifed  to  be  z^  alous  in  the 
corredlion  and  penance,  which  he  was  to  give  her,  i^c^ 
And  accordingly  he  did,  and  Leoncre  was  abfolved. 

^he  third  private  confejjlon  propofed  in  the  academy,  ly 
father  Gafca,  a  Jtfuit,  and  member  of  the  academy  : 
Of  a  woman  of  thirty -three  years  of  age, 

MOST  reverend  and  learned  fathers,  I  have 
thought  fit  not  to  trouble  you  with  the  metho- 
dical way  of  a  private  contefTion  I  heard  iaft  Sunday, 
but  to  give  you  only  an  account  of  the  dijfHcult  cafe  in 
it.  The  cafe  is  this  :  A  woman  of  thirty-three  years 
of  age  came  to  confefs,  and  told  me,  that  from  fixteen 
years  of  age,  till  twenty  four,  (he  had  committed  all  forts 
of  lewdnefs,  only  with  ccckfiaftical  perfons,  having  in 
every  convent  a  Fry  ar,  who,  under  the  name  of  a  couiin, 
did  ufe  to  vifit  her  :  And  notwithftanding  the  muitipli- 
city  of  coufins,  flie  did  live  fo  poorly,  that  fne  was 
forced  to  turn  procurefs  at  the  fame  time  for  new  coUr- 
f.ns  \  and  that  ihe  had  followed  that  wicked  life  till 
thirty-two  years  of  age  :  That  Iaft  year  flje  dreamed 
that  xht  devil  v^as  very  free  with  her,  and  thefe  dreams 
or  viiions  continuinor  for  a  long  while,  fhe  found  herfclf 
with  child  •,  and  fhe  protefls  that  ihe  kiiew  no  man  for 
fourteen  months  before  :  She  is  delivered  ot  a  boy, 
and  ihe  fays  that  he  is  the  devil's  fon,  and  that  her  con- 
fc ience  is  fo  troubled  about  it,  that  if  I  do  not  find  fome 
way  to  quiet  her  mind,  fhe  will  lay  violent  hands  upon 
herfelf.  I  afked  her  leave  to  confuk  the  cafe,  with  a 
promife  to  reiblve  it  next  Sunday,  Now  I  aik  your 
wife  advice  upon  this  cafe. 

The  prcfidcnc  laid  that  the  cafe  was  impofTible,  and 

D  2  ■  that 


44  AMASTERKEr 

that  the  woman  wa?  mad,  and  that  he  was  of  opinion  td 
fend  the  woman  to  the  phyficians  to  be  cured  ot  Tome 
bodily  diftemper  Ihe  was  Lroubled  with.  The  Jefuit 
proponent  replied,  that  the  woman  was  in  her  perfect 
ftnles,  and  that  the  cafe  well  required  further  confidera- 
tion  :  U,^on  whicl)  F.  Antonio  Palomo^  who  was  reput- 
ed the  moft  learned  of  the  academy,  fiid,  that  laint 
Augujiin  treats  de  Jncubo  ^  Sucuboy  and  he  would  exa- 
miiie  the  ca.e  and  ke  whether  he  might  not  give  fome 
light  for  the  refolution  of  the  cafe  ? 

And  another  member  faid,  that  there  was  in  the  cafe 
fomething  more  than  apparition  and  devilifh  hberty., 
and  ti.at  lie  thought  fit  thai  the  father  Jefuit  fhouid  in- 
quire more  carefully  into  the  matter,  and  go  himfeif  to 
examine  the  houi'e,  and  queftion  the  people  ot  it :  ■  ^ 
Which  being  approved  ot  by  the  whole  aifembly,hedid 
it  the  next  morning,  and  in  the  afternoon,  being  an  ex- 
traordinary meeting,  he  came  and  laid, 

Moft  reverend  and  learned  fathers,  the  woman  was 
fo  ftrcngly  podcfTed  with  fuch  a  vifion,  that  fhe  has 
made  public  the  cale  among  the  neighbours,  and  it  is 
fpread  abroad  ;  upon  which  the  inquifitors  did  fend  for 
the  woman  and  the  maid,  and  this  has  difcovered  the 
uhule  ftoiy,  viz,  I  hat  father  Conchillos,  viclorian  Fry- 
ar,  was  in  love  with  thr  woman,  but  (he  could  not  en-; 
dure  the  fight  of  him  :  That  he  orained  the  maid,  and 
by  that  means  he  got  into  her  houfe  every  night,  and 
the  maid  putting  lume  Opium  into  her  miftrefs's  fup- 
per,  fh^Mell  tail  aOi^p,  and  the  faid  father  did  lie  v;ith  her 
fix  nights  together :  So  the  child  is  nut  the  fon  of  the 
devil,  but  of  father  CcnchiUos.  Afterwards  it  was  vt- 
fi'lved  to  enter  the  cafe  tor  a  memorandum^  in  the  aca- 
demy's book. 

The  Fiyar  was  put  into  the  inquTition,  for  having 
perfuaded  the  maid  to  tell  her  miftrefs  that  it  was  the 
■<dr vil  ;  for  ihe  had  been  uncier  the  fame-fear,  and  reall/ 
fhe  was  in  the  lame  condition.  What  became  of  the 
Fryar  I  do  i)ot  know,  this   1  do  aver  for  a  truth,  that^ 

I 


U    P  0  P  E  R  T.  ^s 

1  rpoke  with  the  woman  myfelf,  and  with  the  maid  ; 
and  that  the  children  u  ed  to  go  to  her  door,  and  eall 
for  the  fon  of  the  devil  :  And^  being  fo  mocktJ, 
fhe  left  the  city  in  a  few  days  after,  and  ue  were  told 
that  fhe  lived  after  it  a  retired  chnilian  liie  m  the  coun- 
try. 

^be  fourth  private  confejfmn  of  a  friefl^  heing  at  the 
point  of  deaths  in  1710.  Tfh ail  call  him  Don  Paulo. 
T\  p  ]  ^^^^^  God  Almighty  is  pleafed  to  vi- 
1^  fi^  n^e  with  this  ficknefs,  I  ought  to 
make  good  ule  o\  tne  time  I  have  to  live,  and  I  defire 
of  you  to  help  me  with  your  prayers,  and  to  take  the 
trouble  to  write  fome  lubllantiai  points  of  my  confciJi- 
on,  that  \ou  may  perform,  after  my  death,  whatever  I 
think  may  enable  me  in  fome  meafure  to  difcharge  my 
duty  towards  (?od  and  men  When  I  was  ordained 
prieR',  I  made  a  general  confeffion  of  all  my  fins  irom 
my  youth  to  that  time,  ad  1  wiili  I  could  now  be  as 
true  a  pe  luent,  a.>  I  was  at  that  time  ;  but  I  h',pe,  thof 
it  IS  too  late,  that  Gud  will  hear  the  prayer  of  my  h.  art, 
I  have  ieived  my  parifh  fix'een  years,  and  ali  my 
care  has  been  to  di'cover  the  tempers  and  iJichn^cions 
of  my  pa  ifhioners,  and  I  have  been  as  happy  in  rnis 
v*orld  a-  unhappy  before  my  Saviour.  I  have  m  rea 'y 
money  fiiteen  thouland  piftoJe.,  an.i  I  have  given  a  a  ay 
m(.)re  than  fix  thoufand.  1  had  no  patridiony,  anu  n  y 
living  is  worth  but  tour  hundred  piltoie>  a  year,  by 
this  you  may  eafiiy  know,  ihat  my  mone^^is  unlawluliy 
gotten,  as  I  fhail  tell  you,  ir  God  (pares  my  life  till  I 
make  an  end  of  my  conttfTion.  There  is  in  myvpanfh 
fixteen  hundred  families,  and  more  or  lefs  I  na>^c  ci^^ 
frauded  them  all  fomx  way  or  other. 

My  thoughts  have  been  impure  ever  fince  I  began 
to  hear  confcflions  ;  my  words  grave  and-fevt  re'witb 
them  all,  and  all  my  parifhioners  have  refpedted  and 
feared  me.  I  have  had  lo  great  an  empire  over  them^ 
.fkat  fome  ot  them,  knowing  of  my  mildoings,  have  ta- 

kei> 


4^  'A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  T 

ken  my  defence  in  public.  Tl^ey  have  had  in  me  a 
foliciror  in  all  emertiencies,  and  1  have  omitted  nothing 
to  pleafe  thenri  in  outward  appearance-,  but  my  adlic  ns 
have  been  the  molt  criminal  of  mankind  :  For  as  to  my 
ecclcfiaftical  duty,  what  I  have  done  has  been  for  cus- 
tom's lake.  1  he  ntctflary  intention  of  a  prieft,  in 
the  admmiOration  of  baptifm  and  confecration,  with- 
out wni:h  the facraments  are  ot  none  effc6l,  I  conteis  I 
had  it  not  feveral  times,  as  you  fhall  fee  in  the  parifh 
books  \  and  obferve  there,  that  all  thofe  names  marked 
wirh  a  (far,  the  baptifm  was  not  valid,  for  1  had  no  m- 
tcntion  :  And  for  this  I  can  give  n)  other  rcafon  thaa 
my  malice  and  v^ickednefs.  Many  of  them  are  dead, 
for  which  I  am  heartily  fjrry.  As  for  the  timts  I  have 
confecrated  without  intention,  we  muft  leave  it  to  God 
Almighty's  mercy,  for  the  wrong  done  by  it  to  the  fouls 
of  my  parifhioners,  and  thofe  in  purgatory  cannot  be 
helped. 

As  to  the  confvflions  and  wills  T  have  received  from 
my  parifhoners  at  the  point  of  their  death,!  do  confefs,  I 
have  made  my  felf  mailer  of  as  much  aslcouki,&  by  that 
means  I  hav^e  gathered  together  all  my  riches.  J  have 
fent  this  m  rning  for  fifty  bulls,  and  I  have  givtn  one 
hundred  piftoles  for  the  benefit  of  the  holy  cruzade^ 
by  which  his  holinefs  fecures  my  foul  irom  eternal  death. 

As  to  my  duty  towards  God,  I  am  guilty  to  the 
higheft  degree  :  For  I  have  not  loved  him  j  I  have  ne- 
gleded  to  lay  the  private  divine  fervice  at  home  every 
day  ;  I  have  polluted  his  holy  dayshy  my  grievous  fmst 
I  have  not  minded  my  lupenors  in  the  relpedl  due  ta 
them:  And  I  have  been  the  caufe  of  many  innocents 
death.  I  have  procured,  by  remedies,  fixty  abortions, 
makingr  the  fathers  of  thechiidten  their  murthercrs  ; 
befides  many  other  intended,  thuu^h  not  executed,  by 
lome  unexpected  accident. 

As  to  the  fixch  commnndment,  I  cannot  confefs  by 
particulars,  but  by  ^-ncral  heads,  my  fins.  I  conftls,  in 
the  ill  ft  place,  that  1  have  frtqucnted 'the  panfb  clib 

twelve 


So    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


47 


twelve  years.  We  were  only  fix  par  fh  pnefts  in  it ; 
and  there  we  did  conli^lt  and  contrive  all  the  ways  to 
fatisfy  our  pafTions.  Every  body  had  a  lill  of  the  hand- 
fomell  women  in  his  parifii ;  ^nd  when  one  had  a  fancy 
to  fee  any  woman,  remarkable  tor  her  beauty,  in  ano- 
ther's parifh,  the  prieft  of  her  pariOi  fent  for  her  to  his 
own  houfc  ;  and  having  prepared  the  way  for  wicked- 
nefs,  the  other  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  meet  her  there, 
and  fulfil  his  defircs  ;  and  (o  we  have  ferved  one  ano- 
ther thefe  twelve  years  paft.  Cur  method  has  been, 
to  perfuade  the  hufbands  and  fathers  not  to  hinder 
them  any  fpiritual  comfort ;  and  to  the  ladies  to  per- 
fuade them  to  be  fubj'-d:  to  our  advice  and  will  i  and 
that  in  fo  doing,  they  fhould  have  liberty  at  any  time  to 
go  out  on  pretence  of  communicating  feme  fpiritual 
bufincfs  to  the  prieft  :  And  if  they  refufe  to  do  it,  thea 
we  Ihould  fpeak  to  their  hufbands  and  fathers  not  to 
let  them  go  out  at  all,  or,  which  would  be  worfe  for 
the-m,  we  fhould  inform  againil  them  to  the  holy  tribu- 
jial  of  the  inqaifition  :  And  by  thefe  diabolical  perlua- 
fions,  they  were  always  at  cur  command,  without  fear 
of  revealing  the  fecret. 

I  have  fpared  no  woman  of  my  parifh,  whom  I  had 
a  fancy  for,  and  many  ether  of  my  brethren's  parifiies  ♦, 
but  1  cannot  tell  the  number.  1  have  fixty  Nepotss 
alive,of  feveral  women  :  But  my  principal  care  ought  to 
be  of  thofe  that  I  have  by  the  two  young  women  I  keep 
at  home  fince  their  parents  died.  Boih  are  fiflers  and 
I  have  by  the  eidelt  two  boys,  and  by  the  youngeit 
one  •,  and  one  which  I  had  by  my  own  fifter  is  dead. 
Therefore  I  leav^e  to  my  filler  five  thou  land  pifloles, 
npo'j  condition  that  fhe  would  enter  Nun  in  Sx. Bernards 
monaflery  ;  and  upon  the  fame  condition  I  leave  two 
thoufand  pifloles  a  piece  to  the  two  young  women  ; 
and  the  remainder  I  leave  to  my  three  'Nepotes  under 
the  care  of  Mcffen  John  Peralla^  and  ordering  that  they 
(hould  be  heirs  to  one  another,  if  any  of  them  (hculd 
die  Defore  they  are  fettled  in  the  world,  and  if  all  Ihould 

liic 


48  A  M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  Y 

die,  T  leave  the  money  to  the  treafury  of  the  church, 
for  the  ben'.fit  i>f  the  fouls  in  puigatory  :  Item^  I  order 
that  all  iht-  p;n)crs  ot  fuch  a  iitrle  tru:  k  be  burnt  after 
n^y  conitflion  is  over,  f  which  wa<^  done  accordingly) 
ana  ihat  the  holy  bull  of  the  dead  be  boutjht  before  I 
di".  that  I  may  h.:ve  the  comfort  o  having  at  home 
the  fope's  p;  f'^  for  the  next  world.  Now  I  afls:  your 
jtnancc  and  ablolu.i  n  for  all  the  fins  referved  in  all 
the  bulib,  fiOm  the  firil  Pope-,  for  which  purpofe  I 
h  .ve  taken  thr  bull  of  privile^e^i  in  fuch  cafes  as  mine, 
^Ki  I  did  abfolve  Hm,  and  aflilicd  him  afterwards,  and 
he  cicd  the  ntx^  day.  What  to  do  in  fuch  a  cafe,  was 
all  my  ureaiincfs  after  his  death  ;  lor  it  1  did  propofe 
the  Cale  before  the  members  of  the  academy,  eveiy  bo- 
dy could  tafily  know  the  perion,  which  was  againft 
one  or  the  articles  we  did  fwear  at  our  admittance  in- 
to it  :  And  if  I  did  not  propofe  it,  1  fhould  acfl  aoainft 
another  article.  Ail  my  difficulty  was  about  the  bap- 
tMPs  which  he  had  aciminifteied  without  intention  ; 
For  it  is  the  known  opinion  of  their  chuich  that  the 
inre-nticn  ot  a  pritft  is  abfoiutely  nrcefTary  to  the  vali- 
dity of  the  lacrament,  and  that  without  it  there  is  no 
facrament  at  all.  I  had  examined  the  books  of 
the  pariih,  and  I  four.d  a  hundred  and  firty-two  names 
marked  with  a  ftar  -,  and  txamininr^  the  regifter  of 
the  dead,  I  found  eighty  fix  of  thtmdead  :  According 
to  the  principles  ot  t!  e  church,  all  thofe  that  were  a- 
live  were  to  be  baptized;  which  could  not  be  done 
without  great  icandal,  and  prejudice  to  the  clergy.  In 
this  uneafinefs  or  mind,  I  continued  till  1  went  to  vifit 
the  reverend  Father  John  Gcreia^  who  had  been  my 
n  aft-f^r  in  divinity,  and  I  did  confult  him  on  the  cafe, 
Jub  fecreto  naturali.  He  did  advife  me  to  propofe  fhe 
ca.e  to  the  afien;bly,  upon  fupprfirion,  that  if  fuch  a 
cafe  O.ould  happen,  what  fhould  be  done  in  it  ;  and 
he  did  recommend  to  me  to  talk  with  a  great  deal  of 
cauti(-n,  and  to  irfift  tha:  it  ought  to  be  coninninicattd 
to  the  bifnop  5  and  if  liic  members  did  agree  with  me, 

theQ 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  49 

t^en  without  further  confefTi^in,  I  was  to  go  to  the  bi- 
(hop  and  i<\\  his  lordlliip  the  cafe,  under  fecrecy  of 
con'tiTion  :  I  did  fo,  and  the  bifhop  laid  he  would 
fend  for  the  books,  and  take  a  lid:  of  all  thofc  nam^^  ; 
and  as  many  of  them  as  could  be  found  he  would  fend 
for,  one  by  one,  into  his  own  chamber,  and  baptize 
them;  commanding  them  under  pain  of  tcclefiaftical 
cenfure,  not  to  talk  of  it  neither  in  public  or  private. 
But  as  for  the  other  fins,  there  was  no  necefTity  of  re- 
vealing the^m,  for  by  virtue  of  the  bull  of  Cruzade  (of 
which  1  fhall  fpeak  in  the  fecond  chapter)  we  couid  ab- 
fclve  them  all. 

Hear,  O  heaven  !  Give  ear,  O  earth  !  And  be  hor- 
ribly aftoni filed  !  To  fee  the  beft  religion  in  the  world 
turned  into  luperftirion  and  folly  •,  to  fee  too  chat  thofe 
who  are  to  guide  the  people,  and  put  their  flock  in  the 
Wijy  of  falva'ion,  are  wolves  in  (beep's  clothing,  that  de- 
vour them,  and  put  them  into  the  way  of  damnation. 
O  God,  open  the  eyes  of  the  ignorant  people,  that  they 
may  fee  tne  injuries  done  to  their  fouls  by  their  own 
guides. 

I  do  not  write  this  out  of  any  private  end,  to  blame 
all  forts  of  confelTors  j  for  there  are  fome  who,  accord- 
ing to  the  princ!ples  of  their  religion,  do  difcharge  their 
duty  with  exadnefs  and  purity,  and  \\hofe  lives,  in  their 
own  way,  are  unblamable,  and  without  reproach  among 
men.  Such  confefTors  as  thele  1  am  ipeaking  of  are 
fober  in  their  actions  r  T  hey  mortify  their  bodies  witd 
failing  over  and  above  the  rules  prefcribed  by  the 
church,  by  difcipline,  by  kneeling  down  in  their  clofets 
fix  or  eighf  hours  every  day,  to  meditate  on  the  holy 
myfleries,  the  goodnefs  of  God,  and  to  pray  to  him 
for  all  forts  of  finncrs,  that  they  may  be  brought  to 
repentance  and  falvation,  &c.  They  fljep  but  few 
hours  :  They  fpend  mc;fb  of  their  fpare  time  in  read- 
ing the  ancient  fathers  of  the  church,  and  other  books 
^f  dt^votion. 

They  live  poorly,  becaufe  whatever  they  have,  the 

poor 


^^5«  A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

poor  are  the  enjoyers  of  it.  The  time  they  give  to  the 
public  is  but  very  httle,  and  not  every  day  ;  and  then 
V  hatever  counftrls  thi  y  g^ve  are  right,  (incere,  without 
fiatrery  or  interefl.  Ail  pious,  religious  perf  ms  do  fo-^ 
licit  their  acquaintance  and  converiation,  but  they  a- 
void  ail  pomp  and  vanity,  and  keep  themfelves,  as 
■  iruch  as  thev  can,  within  the  limits  of'folitude  ;  and 
if  they  n-uike  fome  vifits,  it  mud  be  upon  urgent  rc- 
CcfTitv.  SumctUTies  you  may  find  them  in  thr  hofpitals 
among  the  poor  Tick,  helping  and  exhorting  them  : 
But  they  go  there  moft  n  mmonly  in  the  nighr,  lor 
what    they    do,   they  do  it  not  out  of   pride,  but  hu- 

I  kn<  w  fome  of  thefe  exemplary  men,but  a  very  few  ; 
and  I  i  eard  ton  e  ot  them  preach  with  a  fervent  zeal 
i^l.  ut  the  promoting  of  Chrkl's  religion,  and  exhorc- 
inji  the  people  to  put  their  lives  voluntarily  m  the  de- 
fence or  the  R  man-catholic  faith,  and  extirpate  and 
deftroy  all  the  enemies  of  their  communion.  I  do  not 
pretend  to  judge  them,  ft  judgment  belongeth  to  God  : 
This  I  fay,  wiMi  St.  Paul,  that  it  thofe  religious  men 
have  a  ztal  of  Gody  their  zeal  is  not  according  to  knoW' 
ledge. 

Ihejifth  private  conffffi:n  of  a  Nun,  in  the  convent  of 

S.  O. 

Before  I  begin  the  confejjion.  it  will  not  he  improper  to 
give  an  account  of  the  cujioms  of  the  ISunSy  and  places  of 
their  confejfions, 

Y  the  conftitutions  of  their  order,  (o  many  days 
are  appoimed,  in  which  all  the  Nuns  are  obliged 
to  confefs,  from  the  Mother  Abbets  to  the  very  wheel- 
er, i  e.  the  Nun  that  turns  the  wheel  near  the  door, 
through  which  they  give,  and  receive,  every  thing  they 
want.  They  have  a  Father  Confefr>r,  and  a  Father 
Companion,  who  live  ntxt  to  tiie  convent^  a^id  have  a 

^  (mall 


is    POPERY.  5t 

fmall  grate  in  the  wall  of  their  chamber,  which  an- 
fwcrs  to  the  upper  cloiftcr  or  gallery  of  ihe  convent. 
The  Conttfibr  hath  care  of  the  fouls  of  the  convent, 
and  he  is  obliged  to  lay  Mafs  every  day,  hear  confefli- 
ens,  adminiiler  the  facramtnts,  and  vifit  the  fickNuns. 
There  are  feveral  narrow  cLiets  in  the  church,  with  a 
fmall  iron  grate  :  One  fide  anfwers  to  the  cloilttr,  nnd 
the  other  to  the  church.  So  the  Nun  being  on  the  infide, 
and  the  ConfelTor  on  theoutfide,  they  hear  one  another. 
There  is  a  large  grate  facing  the  great  altar,  and  the 
holes  of  it.  are  a  quarter  of  a  yard  in  fquare,  but  that 
grate  is  double,  that  is,  one  within,  anc  another  with- 
out, and  the  diftance  between  both  is  more  than  half  a 
yard.  And  befidtrs  thcfe,  there  is  another  grate  for 
relations,  and  benefadtors  of  the  community,  which 
grate  is  fingle,  and  confiftsof  very  thin  iron  bars:  The 
holes  of  fuch  a  grate  are  near  a  quarter  and  a  half 
fquare.  In  all  thole  grates  the  Nuns  confefs  their  fins; 
for,  on  a  lolcmn  day,  they  fenu  for  ten  or  twelve  Con- 
ftfiTors,  otherwife  they  could  not  cor.fefs  the  fourth 
part  of  them,  for  there  are  in  fome  monaileries  no 
Xvuns,  in  others  80,  in  others  40,  but  this  laft  is  a  fmail 
number. 

The  Nuns  Father  Conftfil^r  hath  but  little  trouble 
with  the  young  Nuns,  -or  (hey  generally  fend  for  a 
Confefibr  who  is  a  fti  anger  to  ihem,  fo  that  all  his  trou- 
ble is  with  the  old  ones,  who  have  no  bufinels  at  the 
grate.  Thefe  trouble  their  Cmicfiur  almofl  every  day 
with  many  ridiculous  trifles,  and  will  keep  the  poor 
man  two  hours  at  the  grate,  teiiing  him  how  many 
times  they  have  fpit  in  the  church,  how  many  flies 
they  have  killed,  how  many  times  they  have  flowp  into 
a  paiTion  with  their  lap-dogs,  and  other  nonfcnficai, 
ridiculous  things  like  theie  ;  and  ihe  lealon  is,  be- 
caufe  they  have  nothing  to  do,  nobody  goes  to  vifit 
them,  nor  careth  for  them,  fo  fometimes  they  chufe  to 
'be  fpie-s  for  the  young  Nuns,  when  they  are  at  the  grate 
mith.  their  gallants,  and  lor  lear  ot  ihtir  Mother  Abbefs, 
•-       -  they 


^      5^  AMAStER^KET 

they  place  fonie  of  the  ol  i  Nuns  before  the  door  of 
tl  e  parJf)U',  tc  watch  fhe  Mother  A  bbels,  and  to  give 
th(-m  timeiy  nc fct  ot  her  coming  ;  and  the  poor  old 
Jsuns  CIO  per.oim  ihistfficc  v\ 'th  a  great  deal  of  plea- 
(v.re,  faithtulnrls,  and  lon-e  profit  tco.  ♦^ut  1  fhall  not; 
fciy  any  nu're  (f  thcni.  cc.rfifinfi;  inyfelf  wholly  to  the 
^a\'  ot  hving  anu>p^>  the  ycunjj  Nuns. 

Man\  gt^ntlei  tn  knd  ihtir  dauehters  to  the  nunne- 
ry whtn  tliey  are  l.>me  five,  tome  fix.  Icme  eight  years 
old,  under  thr  c^re  i^\  lome  Nun  of  their  relations,  or 
elfe  l^me  C)ld  Nun  of  ih^ir  a^qua-ntance  •,  and  there 
they  get  educath  n  nil  thry  ;  re  15  )tars  old.  The  tu- 
trels  tr'kes  a  tirrat  c  eal  ot  care  ni)i  to  let  thtm  go  to  the 
grate,  noi  C(  nvtrle  with  n  <  n  all  the  while,  to  prevent 
in  ihtrri  ihe  knowledge  and  k.vc  ot  the  world.  They 
are  caitfit-Ci  by  ab  the  Nuns,  and  thinking  it  v.ill  be 
ai^'/ayslo,  they  art  very  well  pltaled  with  their  confine- 
mcni.  Thry  have  only  liberty  to  go  to  the  grate  to 
their  parents  or  lelatons,  and  always  accompanied  with 
the  C)la  IVIother  Tufels.  And  when  they  are  i^  years 
old,  wh.ch  is  the  age  fixed  by  the  conftitutions  ot  all  the 
orce'S,  thty  receive  the  habit  ft  a  Nun,  and  begin  the 
yeai  of  ncvicia.e,  which  is  the  year  ot  trial,  to  fee  whe- 
ther they  can  go  through  all  tlie  hardfhips,  fadings,  dif- 
cipl'ncs,  praytrs,  hours  ot  divine  fervice,  obedience, 
poverty,  chaility,  and  penances  pra6tifed  in  the  mona- 
'fiery  :  But  tb.e  Friorefs  or  Abbefs,  and  the  reft  ot  the 
protofTed  Nuns,  do  ^  if^tnfe  with,  and  excufe  the  Novi- 
ces fr(m  all  r  he  kventies,  for  fear  that  the  Novices  fhould 
be  dfTaii  fied  with,  and  It-ave  the  convent  :  And  in  this 
they  are  vtr)  much  in  the  wrong,  for,  befides  that  they 
do  not  oblerve  the  precepts  of  .their  monaftical  rule, 
they  deceive  the  poor,  ignorant,  unexperinced  young 
Novices  who,  after  their  proreflion  and  vows  of  per- 
petuity, do  heartily  repent  they  had  been  lb  much  in- 
dulged. Thus  the  Novices,  fl  ottered  in  the  year  of 
noviciate,  and  thinking  they  will  be  fo  all  their  life 
time,  when  the  year  is  expired,  make  profeflion  and 

fwear 


to  p  0  p  E  R  r.  si 

twezvto  obferve  chajlity,  obedience^  diK\d.  poverty^  during 
their  lives,  and  daujura^  i.  e.  conjine>nent  ^  ooliging 
themfelves,  by  it,  riever  to  go  out  ot  me  monaftery. 

After  the  proftfiion  is  m.^de,  they  be'jin  to  feel  the 
feverity  and  hardfhips  of  the  monaftical  life  ;  for 
one  is  made  a  door  keeper,  another  turner  of  the  wheel, 
to  receive  and  deliver  by  it  all  the  Nun's  mefTages, 
another  bell  Nun,  that  is  to  call  the  Nuns,  when  any 
one  comes  to  vifit  theuT)  •,  another  baker,  another  book- 
keeper of  all  the  rents  and  exoences,  and  the  like  ;  and 
in  tiie  performance  of  all  thefe  employments  they  mafl: 
expend  a  great  deal  of  their  own  money.  After  this 
they  hav*e  liberty  to  go  to  the  grate,  and  talk  with  gen- 
tlemen, Prieits  and  Fryars,  who  cnly  go  there  as  a  gal- 
lant goes  to  fee  his  miibefs.  So  wh-^n  the  young  Nuns 
begin  to  have  a  notion  of  the  pleafures  of  the  worlds 
and  how  they  have  been  deceived,  they  are  heartily 
forfy,  bur  too  late,  for  there  is  no  remedy.  And  mind- 
ing nothing  but  to  farisfy  their  paffions  as  v/ell  as  they 
can,  they  abandon  themfelves  to  all  forts  of  wicked- 
nefs,  and  amorous  intrigu(\s. 

There  is  another  fore  of  Nuns,  whom  the  people  call 
las  forcadas^  the  torced  Nuns,  i.  e  th ofe  who  have 
made  a  falfe  (lep  in  the  world,  and  cannot  find  hufbands, 
on  account  of  their  crimes  bring  public,  Thofe  are 
defpifed  and  ill  ufed  by  their  p.irencs  and  relations,  till 
they  choofe  to  go  to  the  nunnery  :  S  >  by  this  it  is  eafi- 
ly  known  v/hat  fort  of  Nuns  they  will  make. 

Now,  as  to  the  fpending  of  their  time.  They  g^t 
up  at  fix  in  the  morning  and  orp  to  prayer*".,  and  to  hear 
Mafs  till  feven,  from  feven  till  ten,  thry  v/ork,  or  go  to 
breakfafl,  either  in  their  chambers,  or  in  the  common- 
hall.  At  ten  they  go  to  the  great  iv1;.ls  till  eleven  : 
After  it,  they  go  to  dinner,  after  dinner  they  may  divert 
themfelves  till  two ;  at  two  they  go  to  prayers,  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  or  (if  they  ling;  vrfpers)  tor  half  an 
hour  ;  and  afterwards  they  arc  ire*?  till  the  next  morn- 
ing :  So  every  one  is  Wdidng  for  hex  DcvolOy  that  is,  a 

gallant^ 


54  A    MASTER- KET 

gallant,  or  fpiritual  hufbm-^,  as  they  call  him.  Whe» 
it  is  dark  evening,  they  fen  J  away  the  Devotos^  and  the 
doors  are  locktd  up  -,  fo  they  go  to  their  own  chamber 
to  write  a  billet,  or  letter  to  the  fpiritual  hufband, 
v-hich  they  fend  in  the  morning  to  them,  and  get  an  an- 
fwer  i  and  though  they  fee  one  another  almoft  every 
day,  for  all  that,  they  muft  write  to  one  another  every 
morning  :  And  thefc  letters  of  love,  they  call  the  recre- 
ation of  the  fpirit  for  the  time  the  jD.f-7;^/^j  are  abfent 
from  them.  Every  day  they  muil  give  one  another  an 
account  of  whatever  thing  they  have  done  fince  the  laft 
vifit ;  and  indeed  there  are  warmer  expreffions  of  love, 
and  jealoufy  between  the  Nun,  and  the  Devoto^  than 
between  real  wife  and  hufband. 

i^o'w  I  come  to  the  private  ConfeJfiQn%  and  Iwijh  I  could 
have  the  ftylc  of  an  angcl^  to  exprejs  myj  elf  with  purity^ 
mdmoaefty,  in  this  confejfwn. 


& 


EVEREND  Father,  as  the  number  of  my 

^  ■  Xv  i'l^s  are  fo  great,  and  fo  great  the  variety  of 
circumilances  attending  them  •,  miftrufting  my  memo- 
ry, I  have  fet  down  in  writing  this  confcfTion,  that 
you  may  entirely  be  acquainted  with  every  thing  that 
troubles  my  confcience,  and  fo  I  humbly  beg  of  you  to 
read  it, 

Cofjf  I  did  approve  the  method  of  writing,  but  you 
ou%\\t  to  read  it  yourfelF,  or  elfe  it  .cannot  be  oris  con-- 
fejfto^  or  confefiion  by  mouth. 

Nun.  If  it  is  fo,  1  begin.  I  thought  fit,  to  acquaint 
you  wich  the  circumftances  of  my  life  pad,  that  you 
n-jay  form  a  right  judgment  of  my  monaftical  lite  and 
convcrfation,  which,  in  fome  meafure,  will  cxcufe  me 
before  the  world,  though  not  before  God  our  righteous 
judge. 

I  aqi  the  only  daughter  of  Counfellor  N.  E.  who 
brouqht  me  up  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  gave  me  a  wri- 
tjng-Uiallcr,  which  is  a  rare  thing.  1  was  not  quite  thir- 
teen 


it?    P  O  P  E  R  r.  ,  55 

tffn  years  of  age,  when  a  gentleman  of  quality,  thoog;h 
not  very  rich,  began  his  love  to  me,  by  ktters  which  he 
(craining  my  writing- maftcr;  fent  to  me  by  him.  There 
was  nothing  in  the  world  fo  obligmg,  civil,  modett  and 
endearing,  ;is  his  exprclTions  feemed  to  me,  and  at  lad 
having  the  opportunity  of  meeting  him  at  the  houic  of 
one  of  my  aunts,  his  perfon  and  convfrfation  did  fo 
eharm  my  heart,  that  a  few  days  after  we  gave  one  a- 
nothtr  reciprocal  prom'fes  of  an  eternal  union  :  But  by 
a  letter,  which  unfortunately  was  mifcarried.  and  fell 
into  my  father's  hands,  our  honeft  designs  were  difco- 
Vered  ;  and  without  telling  me  any  thing,  he  went  to 
fee  the  gentleman,  and  fpoke  to  him  in  this  manner  : 
Sir,  my  daughter,  in  difcharging  of  her  duty  to  fo  good 
a  father,  has  communicated  to  me  your  honorable  de- 
figns,  and  I  come  to  thank  you  for  the  honor  you  are 
pleafed  to  do  my  family  :  But,  being  fo  young,  we  think 
proper  to  put  off  the  performance  of  it,  till  fhe  comes 
to  be  15  years  of  age  :  No-^/  llie,  and  1  alfo,  as  a  father 
to  you  both  (for  I  look  upon  you  as  upon  my  own  fon) 
do  defire  of  you  the  favour  not  to  give  any  public  oc- 
eafion  of  cenfure  to  l\\t  watchful  neighbours,  and  if 
you  have  any  regard  for  her,  I  hope  you  will  do  this 
and  more  for  her,  and  for  me  :  And  to  fhew  you  my 
great  affection,  I  offer  you  a  Captain's  commiffion  ia 
the  regiment  that  the  city  raifeth  for  the  King,  and  ad- 
vife  you  to  ferve  two  years,  and  afterwards,  you  may 
accompliih  your  defire.  The  gentleman  accepted  ic, 
and  the  next  day  the  commilllon  was  figned  and  de*- 
livered  to  him,  with  an  order  to  go  to  Cataienia.  At 
the  fame  time  the  writing-mafter  was  fcnt  out  of  the 
town  under  pretence  of  receiving  fome  money  for  my 
father  •,  and  I  was  kept  clofe  at  home,  {o  he  could  not 
get  an  opportunity  of  feeing  or  writing  to  me  ;  for  my 
father  told  him  I  was  fick  in  bed.  As  foon  as  he  lefc 
the  town,  my  father  told  me  that  he  was  dead,  and  that 
Imuft  retire  myfelf  into  the  nunnery,  for  that  v?as  his 
will*  So  immediately  he  brought  me  here,  ^nd.  gave 

fevere 


$6  A    M  J  S  r  E  R-KE  7" 

fevere  dIrc6lions  to  the  Mother- Abbefs,  not  to  let  m« 
fee  any  body  but  himnrlt.  Indeed  he  did  fpare  no- 
thing to  pleafe  me,  till  I  received  the  habit,  and  mada 
the  profciTi  )n  and  vows  of  a  monaftical  lite  :  After 
wh'ch  he  told  me  the  v<^hole  ftory  himfelf  5  and  the  gen*-, 
tlcman  was  killed  in  Catalonia  the  firft  compaign. 

I  do  confefs,  that  ever  lince,  I  did  not  gare  what 
fhould  become  of  me,  and  I  have  abandoned  myfclf  to 
all  the  fins  I  have  been  capable  to  commit.  It  is  but 
ten  months  fince  I  made  my  profefllonj  and  bound  my 
felf  to  perpetuity  ;  though  as  I  did  it  without  intention, 
I  am  not  a  Nun  before  God,  nor  obliged  to  keep  the 
vow  of  religion  ;  and  of  this  opinion  aie  many  other 
Nuns,  efpecially  ten  young  Nuns,  my  intimate  friends, 
who,  as  well  as  I,  do  communicate  to  one  another  the 
mod  ft'cret  things  of  our  hearts. 

Each  of  this  aitembly  has  her  Bsvoto^  and  we  are 
every  day  in  the  afternoon  at  the  grate  :  We  fhew  one 
another  the  letters,  we  receive  from  them,  and  there  is 
nothing  that  we  do  not  invent  for  the  accomplifhment 
of  our   pleafures. 

Conf.  Fray,  confefs  your  own  fins,  and  omit  the  fins 
of  your  friends. 

Nun,  I  cannot,  for  my  fins  are  fo  confounded  with 
the  fins  of  my  friends,  that  1  cannot  mention  the  one 
without  the  other. 

But  coming  now  to  my  greateft  fin  5  I  mufl  tell 
you  that  a  Nun  of  our  alTcmbly  has  a  Fryar  her  JDevoto^ 
the  moll  beautiful  among  men,  and  we  contrived  and 
agreed  together  to  brinai;  him  into  the  convent,  as  we 
did,  and  have  kept  him  two  and  twenty  days  in  our 
chamber  :  During  which  time  we  went  to  the  '^rate  ve- 
ry feldom,  on  pretence  of  being  not  wt  11.  We  have 
given  no  fcandal,  for  no  body  has  fufptded  the  leaft 
thing  in  the  cafe.  And  th.s  is  the  greaeil  fin  I  have 
committed  with  man. 

Conf.  Pray,  tell  me,  how  could  you  let  him  in  with* 
«utlcandal  ? 

Nun. 


to     PIP  P  E  R  I".  j; 

Nun.  One  of  the  aiTembly  contrived  to  mat  all  the 
floor  of  her  chamber,  and  fent  for  the  mat-maker  to 
take  the  meafure  ot  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  room, 
and  to  make  it  in  one  piece,  and  fend  it  to  the  Sexton's 
chamber  who  is  a  poor  ignorant  fellow.  When  the 
mat  was  there,  and  the  man  paid  for  it,  one  day  in  the 
evening  we  fent  the  Sexton  on  feveral  meffages,  and  kept 
the  key  of  his  room.  The  Fryar  had  afked  leave  of 
his  Prior  to  go  into  the  country  for  a  month's  time,  and 
difguifmg  himfelf  in  a  layman's  habit,  feeing  well  two 
porters,  came,  in  the  dufk  of  the  evening,  into  the  Sex- 
ton's room,  afid  rolling  up  himfelf  in  the  mat,  the  por- 
ters brought  the  mat  to  the  door,  where  we  were  waiting 
for  it ;  and  taking  it,  we  carried  it  up  to  one  of  our 
chambers.  We  were  afraid  that  the  porters  would 
difcover  the  thing,  but  by  money  we  have  fecured  our- 
felves  from  them  ;  for  we  hired  ruffians  to  make 
away  with  them.  We  put  him  out  of  the  convent  in 
a  great  chefl:  which  could  be  opened  on  the  infide,  and 
of  which  he  had  the  key,  and  giving  the  ched  to  the 
Sexton,  he,  and  the  fervant  of  the  convent,  carried  it  into 
the  Sexton's  Voom.  We  ordered  him  to  leave  the  key 
at  the  door,  for  we  cxpeded  fome  relations,  which  were 
to  take  a  eolation  there  •,  and  we  fent  him  on  fome  er- 
rand till  the  Fryar  had  got  out  of  the  cheft  &  of  danger^ 

A  month  after,  three  of  our  friends  began  to  per- 
ceive the  condition  they  were  in,  and  left  the  convent 
in  one  night,  by  which  they  have  given  great  fcandal  to 
the  city,  and  we  do  notknow  what  is  become  of  them  ; 
as  for  me,  Idefign  to  do  the  fame,  for  I  am  under  the 
fame  .  apprehcnfions  and  fear;  fori  confider,^that  if  I 
do  continue  in  the  convent,  my  big  belly  will  clifcover 
me,  and  though  one  life  ihall  be  faved,  I  Ihail  iofe  mine 
by  the  rules  of  our  order  in  a  miferable  manner,  and  not 
only  fo,  but  a  heavy  refledtion  will  fall  upon  the  whole 
order,  and  the  difhonor  of  my  family  Ihall  be  the  more 
public  :  Whereas,  if  I  quit  the  convent  by  night,  I 
lave  two  lives,  and  the  world  will  refle<fl  only  upon  me, 

£  and 


58  A    M  A  S  r  E  R'  K  E  r 

and  then  T  fhall  take  care  to  go  fo  far  oft  that  nobody 
fhall  hear  of  me  •,  and  as  I  am  fure,  in  my  confcience^ 
that  I  am  not  a  Nun  for  want  of  intention,  when  I  did 
promife  to  keep  cbedience^  chaftity^  poverty^  znd  perpetu- 
ity, I  fhall  not  incur  the  crime  of  apoilacy,  in  leaving 
the  convent  -,  and  if  I  do  continue  in  it,  I  am  fully  rc- 
folved  to  prevent  my  ruin  and  death  by  a  ftrong  ope- 
rating remedy.  This  is  all  I  have  to  fay,  and  1  d6 
expe6t  from  you  not  only  your  advice,  but  your  afTifl- 
ance  too. 

Conf.  I  do  find  the  cafe  fo  intricate,  that  I  want  ex- 
perience and  learning  to  relblve  what  to  do  in  it  ;  and 
I  do  think  it  proper  for  you  to  fend  for  another  Confef- 
for  of  years  and  learning,  and  then  you  Ihall  have  the 
fatisfadtion  of  being;  well  dire61:ed  and  advifed. 

Nun,  Now,  reverend  Father,  I  do  tell  you  pofitively, 
that  I  fhall  never  open  my  heart  to  another  ConfefTor, 
while  I  live  ;  and  if  you  do  not  advifeme  what  to  do, 
I  fhall  call  you  before  God  for  it  -,  and  now  I  lay  upon 
you  whatever  thing  may  happen  in  my  cafe. 

Conf.  Ignorance  will  excufe  me  from  fin,  and  I  tell 
you  I  am  ignorant* how  to  refolve  the  cafe. 

Nun.  I  am  refolved  for  all  events,  and  if  you  refufe 
me  this  fmall  comfort,  I  fhall  cry  out,  and  fay,  that  you 
have  been  foliciting  and  corrupting  me  in  the  very 
ad  of  confefTion,  and  you  fhall  fufPer  for  it  in  the  in- 
quifition. 

Conf.  Well,  have  patience,  means  may  be  found  out : 
And  if  you  give  me  leave  to  confult  the  cafe,  I  fhall  re- 
folve vou  about  it  in  three  days  time. 

Nun.  How  can  you  coniult  my  cafe,  without  expo- 
fing  the  order,  and  my  reputation  too,  perhaps,  by 
^^e  circumflance  ^ 

■i-  C^nf.  Leave  it  to  me,  and  be  not  uneafy  about  it, 
and'I  do  promife  to  come  with  the  refolution  on  Sun- 

day  next. 

Nun.  Pray,  Father,  if  it  be  pofTible,  come  next  Men- 
day  morning,  and  I  fhall  be  free  from  company. 

Conf, 


to     P  0  P  E  R  r.  59 

Conf.  It  is  very  well  :  But,  in  the  mean  time,  have 
before  your  eyes  the  wrath  of  God  againft  thofe  that 
abandon  themfelves,  and  forget  that  he  is  a  living 
God,  to  punifh  fuddenly  great  fmners  ^  and  with  this, 
farewell. 

My  mind  never  before  was  fo  much  troubled  as  it 
was  after  this  cafe.  I  was,  more  by  the  intereft  of  others, 
than  by  my  learning,  appointed  penitentiary  ConfcfTor 
in  the  cathedral  church  of  St.  Salvator  ;  and  as  the 
duty  of  fuch  a  Confeflbr  is  to  be  every  day,  in  the  morn- 
ing, four  hours  in  the  conteffionary,  from  eight  till 
twelve,  except  he  be  called  abroad  ;  every  body  thinks 
that  fuch  a  Confelfor  muft  be  able  to  refolve  all  cafes 
and  difficulties  :  But  it  was  not  fo  with  me  ;  for  I  was 
young,  and  without  experience.  And  as  to  this  cafe, 
the  next  academical  day  1  propofed  it  in  the  following 
manner  : 

There  is  a  perfon  bound  by  word  of  mouth,  but  at 
the  fame  time  without  intention,  nay,  with  a  mind  and 
heart  averfe  to  it  ;  bound,  I  fay,  to  obedience^  chaftity^ 
and  poverty.  If  the  perfon  leaves  the  convent,  the 
crime  of  apoftacy  is  not  committed  \n  foro  interriG  ;  and 
if  the  perfon  continues  in  the  convent,  the  confequence 
is  to  be  a  great  fin  \x\  foro  externo  &  inlerno.  The  per- 
fon expeds  the  refolution,  or  elfe  is  fully  refolved  to 
expofethe  ConfeiTo/to  fcandal,  and  perfonal  fufferings  : 
This  is  the  cafe  which  I  humibly  lay  down  before  your 
learned  reverences. 

The  Prefident's  opinion  was,  that  in  fuch  a  cafe,  the 
ConfefTor  was  obliged,  in  the  firtl  place,  to  reveal  it  in 
general  terms,  to  the  holy  inquifitors  ;  for  (faid  he) 
though  this  cafe  is  not  mentioned  in  our  authors,  there 
are  others  very  like  this,  which  ought  to  be  revealed, 
viz.  all  thofe  that  are  againft  either  the  temporal  or  fpi- 
ritual  good  of  our  neighbour,  which  cafes  are  referved 
to  the  Bifliop  or  to  his  deputy  ;  and  this  cafe,  by  the 
laft  circumftance,  being  injurious  to  the  holy  tribunal, 
the  Confellbr  ought  to  prevent  the  fcandal  which  might 

otherwife 


6o  'JMASTER-KET 

otherwife  fall  upon  him,  to  reveal  the  lad  circumdance. 
As  for  the  firil  circumftance  of  the  cafe,  in  this  and 
others,  we  r[\u^]udg^  fecundum  allegata  ^probata  ;  and 
we  muft  fuppofe,  that  no  peniterFt  comes  to  confefs  with 
a  lie  in  his  mouth  ;  therfore,  if  the  perfon  affirms  that 
he  was  bound  without  intention,  he  is  free  before  God  : 
Befides,  in  rebus  duhiis  minimum  eft  fequendum  -,  fo,  to 
prevent  greater  evil,  I  think  the  perfon  may  be  advifed 
to  quit  the  convent ,  and  this  is  agreeable  to  the  Pope's 
difpenfations  to  fuch  perfons  ;  when  they  fwear  and 
produce  witnefs,  that  (before  they  were  bound  to  the 
vow)  heard  the  perfons  fay,  they  had  not  intention  to 
it. 

The  reverend  Mr.  Palomo's  opinion  was,  that  the 
ConfefTor  was  to  take  the  fafeft  part,  v/hich  was  to  ad- 
vife  the  penitent  to  fend  to  Rome  for  a  difpenfation, 
which  could  be  obtained  by  money,  or  to  the  Pope's 
Nuncio^  v;ho  would  give  leave  to  quit  the  convent  for 
ijx  months,  upon  necefiity  of  preferving  or  recovering 
the  bodily  health  ;  and  in  that  time  may  be  the  perfon 
would  dilTipate  fome  fumes  of  grief  cr  melancholic 
fancies,  he. 

But  I  did  reply  to  this,  that  the  perfon  could  not  do 
tlie  iirfl,  for  want  of  witnefs,  nor  the  fecond,  for  being 
in  perfed  health,  the  phyfician  never  would  grant  his 
certificate  to  be  produced  before  the  Pope's  Nuncio^ 
which  is  ablblutely  neceffary  in  fuch  cafes  ;  and  as  to 
revealing  the  cafe  to  the  holy  inquifitors,  it  is  very  dan- 
gerous, both  to  the  perfon  and  theConfefibr,  as  we  could 
prove  by  feveral  inftances. 

To  this,  feveral  members  being  of  my  opinion,  it 
-was  refolved,  that  the  ConfefTor,  firft  of  all,  was  to  ab- 
folve  the  penitent,  having  a  bull  of  cruzade^  and  extra 
€onfe£ioncr/i^  or  out  of  confefTion  give,  as  a  private  per- 
fon, advice  to  the  penitent  to  quit  the  convent,  and 
to  take  a  certificate.  Wherein  the  penitent  was  to  fpe- 
cify,  that  the  Confefibr  had  giveo  fuch  advice  ^a-- 
tra  a^.rm  confejfmis.  The  caie  and  rcfolution  was  en- 
tered 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  6i 

tered  in  the  academy's  book.  And  accordingly,  M^wi^^ 
iollowing,  I  went  to  the  Nun  and  performed  what  was 
relolved  ;  and  the  very  fame  week,  we  heard  in  the  city, 
that  fuch  a  Nun  had  made  her  efcape  out  of  the  con- 
vent. 

Two  years  and  a  half  after  this,  I  faw  this  very  Nun 
one  day  at  the  court  of  Lijhcn^  but  I  did  not  fpeak  with 
her,  for  as  I  was  then  drelTed  like  an  officer  of  the  ar- 
my, I  thought  file  could  not  know  me  ;  but  I  was 
miftaken,  tor  fhe  knew  me  in  my  difguife,  as  well  as 
I  did  her.  The  next  day  fhe  came  to  my  lodgings  fol- 
lowed by  a  Lacquey,  who,  by  her  orders,  had  dogged 
me  the  night  before.  I  was  fo  troubled  for  fear  to  be 
difcovered,  that  I  thought  the  befl  way  I  could  take 
was  to  run  away  and  fecure  myfelf  in  an  Englijh  fhip  : 
'  But  by  her  firft  words  I  difcovered,  that  her  fear  was 
greater  than  mine ;  for  after  giving  m.e  an  account  of 
her  efcape  out  of  the  convent,  and  fafe  delivery,  fhe  told 
me  that  a  Portuguefe  Capt.  happening  to  quarter  in  the 
fame  town  where  fhe  was,  took  her  away  one  night,  and 
carried  her  to  Barcelona^  but  that  flie  refufmg  to  com- 
ply with  his  defires,  on  any  but  honorable  terms,  he  had 
married  her,  and  brought  her  to  Lijhon  :  That  her  huf- 
band  knew  nothing  of  her  having  been  a  Nun ;  that 
(he  took  another  nam.e,  and  that  fhe  was  very  happy 
with  her  hufband,  who  was  very  rich,  and  a  man  of 
good  fenfe.  She  begged  me  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  not 
to  ruin  her  by  difcovering  any  thing  of  her  life  pad. — 
I  afTured  her,  that  nothing  fhould  happen  on  my  ac- 
count, that  fhould  difoblige  her;  and  afterwards  fhe 
afked  me,  why  I  was  not  dreffed  in  a  clerical  habit  ? 
To  which  1  defired  her  to  take  no  notice  of  it,  for  I 
was  there  upon  fecret  bufinefs,  and  of  great  confe- 
quence,  and  that  as  there  was  no  body  there  who  knew 
me  in  Zaragoza^  it  was  proper  to  be  difguifed.  She 
defircd  my  leave  to  introduce  me  to  her  hufband,  un- 
der the  title  of  a  country  gentleman,  who  was  come  thi-» 
thcr  ioi'Ckarks  the  3d's  fake.     I  thanked  her,  and  fhe 

went 


62  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R^K  E  T 

went  home  overjoyed  with  my  promife,  and  I  was  no  lefs 
with  hers.  The  next  day  her  hufband  came  to  vifit 
me,  and  ever  after,  we  vifited  almoft  every  day  one  an- 
other, till  I  left  that  city.  This  I  fay,  flie  was  a  better 
wife,  than  Ihe  had  been  a  Nun,  and  lived  more  religi- 
oufly  in  the  world,  than  fhe  had  done  in  the  cloifter  of 
the  convent. 

Now  I  muft  leave  off  the  account  of  private  cafes 
and  confeffions,  not  to  be  tedious  to  the  readers  by  in- 
fifting  too  long  a  time  upon  one  fubjedt.  But,  as  I 
promifed  to  the  public,  to  difcover  the  mod  fecret  prac- 
tices of  the  Romijh  priefts  ♦,  in  this  point  of  auricular 
confejfton^  1  cannot  dilmifs  nor  put  an  end  to  this  firfl: 
chapter,  without  performing  my  promife. 

By  the  account  I  have  already  given  of  a  few  private 
confeflions,  every  body  may  eafily  know  the  wicked- 
nefs  ot  the  Romijh  prieils,  but  more  particularly  their 
covetoufnefs  and  third  of  money  will  be  detedted  by  my 
following  obfervations. 

Firft  of  all,  ifa  poor  countryman  goes  to  confefs,  the 
Father  Conteffor  takes  little  pains  with  him,  for,  as  he 
expedls  little  or  nothing  from  him,  he  heareth  him,  and 
with  bitter  words  corre6ts  the  poor  man,  and,  mod  com- 
monly, without  any  corredlion,  impofing  upon  him  a 
hard  penance,  fends  him  away  with  the  fame  ignorance, 
he  went  with  to  confefs. 

2.  If  a  loldier  happens  to  go  to  make  his  peace  with 
God  (fo  they  exprcls  themfelves.when  they  go  to  con- 
fefs) then  the  Confeffor  fheweth  the  power  of  a  fpiri- 
tual  guide.  He  quedions  him  about  three  fins  only, 
viz.  thefts^  drunkennefs^^undeamtefs.  Perhaps  the  poor 
foldier  is  free  from  the  two  fird,  but  if  he  is  guilty  of 
the  lad,  the  Confeffor  draws  the  confequence,  that  he 
is  guilty  of  all  the  three,  and  terrifying  him  with  hell, 
and  all  the  devils  &  the  fire  of  it,  he  chargeth  him  with 
reditution,  and  that  he  is  obliged  to  give  fo  much  mo- 
ney for  the  relief  of  the  fouls  in  purgatory,  or  elfe  he 
cannot  gee  abfolution.     So  the  poor  man,  out  of  better 

confcience 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T.  63 

confcience  than  his  Confefibr,  offers  a  month's  pay^ 
which  mufl  be  given,  upon  the  fpot,  (for  in  the  fhop  of 
ConfefTors  there  is  neither  truft  nor  credit)  to  appeafe 
the  rough,  bitter  Confeffor,  and  to  get  abfolution  •,  and 
I  believe  this  hard  way  of  ufing  the  poor  foldiers  is  the 
reafon  that  they  do  not  care  at  all  tor  that  a6l  of  devo- 
tion ;  and  as  they  are  fo  bad  cuftomers  to  the  ConfefTors 
fhop,  the  ConfefTors  ufe  their  endeavours,  when  they 
go  to  buy  abfolution,  to  fell  it  as  dear  as  they  can  -,  fo 
they  pay  at  one  time  for  two,  three  or  more  years. 

I  heard  a  foldier,  damning  the  ConfefTors,  fay,  "  If 
I  continue  in  the  King's  fervice  20  years,  I  will  not  go 
to  confefs,  for  it  is  eafier  and  cheaper  to  lift  up  my  fin- 
ger (*)  and  be  abfolved  by  our  chaplain,  than  to  go 
tfca  devililh  Fryar,  who  doth  nothing  but  rail  and  grum- 
ble at  me,  and  yet  I  mufl  give  him  money  for  mafTes, 
or  elfe  he  will  not  abfolve  me  :  I  will  give  him  leave  to 
bury  me  alive,  if  ever  he  gets  me  near  him  again." 

If  a  collegian  goes  to  confefs,  he  finds  a  mild,  and 
fweet  Confefibr,  and  without  being  queflioned,and  with 
a  fmall  penance,  he  generally  gets  abfolution.  The 
reafon,  the  ConfefTors  have  to  uie  the  collegians  with 
fo  great  civility  and  mildnefs,  is,  firfl,  becaufe  if  a  colle- 
gian is  ill  ufed'by  his  ConfefTor,  he  goes  to  a  deaf  Fry- 
ar, who  abfolves  ad  dexter am^  &  ad  Siniftram^  all  forts  of 
penitents  for  a  real  of  plate;  and  after,  he  inquireth 
and  examineth  into  all  the  other  ConfefTors  actions, 
vifits  and  intrigues-,  and  when  he  has  got  matter  e- 
nough,  he  will  write  a  lampoon  on  him,  which  has 
happened  very  often  in  my  time.  So  the  ConfefTor 
dares  not  meddle  with  the  collegians,  for  fear  that  his 

tricks 


(*)  The  Cuilom  of  the  Spani/h  Army  in  the  Field,  and  the  Day 
before  the  Battle,  or  before  the  Engagenient,  th3  Chaplain  goes 
through  all  the  Companies,  to  afk  the  officers  whether  they  have  a; 
mind  to  confefs,  and  if  one  has  any  thing  to  fay,  he  whifpers  ia 
the  Chaplain's  Ear,  and  fo  through  all  the  Officers.  As  for  the 
private  Men  :  Crying  out,  fays,  he  that  has  a  Sin,  let  him  lift  up 
one  Finger,  and  gives  a  general  Abfolution  to  all  at  once. 


^4  'AMASTEk-KET 

tricks  rtiould  be  brought  to  light ;  and  another  reafort 
is  becaufe  the  collegians,  for  the  generality,  are  like  the 
filles  de  jsys  in  Lent^  i.  e.  without  money,  and  fo  the 
ConfefTor  cannot  expe6i:  any  profit  by  them. 

I  fay,  if  abfolution  is  denied  to  a  collegian,  he  goes  to 
.'Si'Deaf  Confeffor  \  for  fome  Confeflbrs  are  called  deaf^  not 
becaufe  they  are  really,  but  becaufe  they  give  fmall 
penance  without  corre6lion ;  and  never  deny  abfolu- 
tion, though  the  fins  be  referved  to  the  Pope.  I  kpiew 
two  'Dominican  Fryars,  who  were  known  by  the  name 
of  Vieaf  Confejfors^  becaufe  they  never  ufed  to  queflioii 
the  penitent. 

Only  one  of  fuch  ConfelTors  has  more  bufinefs  in 
Lent,  than  twenty  of  the  others,  for  he  (like  our  couple- 
beggars,  who  for  fix- pence  do  marry  the  people)  for  the 
fame  fum  gives  abfolution.  And  for  this  reafon  all  the 
great  and  habitual  finners  do  go  to  the  Deaf  ConfeffoVy 
who  gives,  upon  the  bargain,  a  certificate  in  which  he 
fays  that  fuch  a  one  has  fulfilled  the  commandment  of 
the  church,  for  every  body  is  obliged  to  produce  a  cer> 
tificate  of  confeflion  to  the  minifter  of  the  parifh  before 
Eafter^  or  elfc  he  m.uft  be  expofed  in  the  church  :  SQ,al 
it  is  a  hard  thing  for  any  old  finner  to  get  abfolution 
and  a  certificate  from  other  covetous  ConfelTors,  with-^ 
out  a  great  deal  of  money,  they  generally  go  to  the  'Deaf 
Confejfors,  I  had  a  friend  in  the  fame  convent,  who  told 
me,  that  fuch  Confeffors  were  obliged  to  give  two  thirds 
of  their  profit  to  the  community,  and  being  only  two 
Deaf  Confejfors 'm  that  convent,  he  affured  me,  that  in 
one  Lent,  they  gave  to  the  Father  Prior  600  piftoles  a 
piece.  I  found'the  thing  incredible,  thinking  that  on- 
ly poor  and  debauched  people  did  ufe  to  go  to  them  ; 
but  he  fatisfied  me,  faying,  that  rich  and  poor,  men  and 
women,  Priefts  and  Ts'uns,  were  cuftomers  to  them., 
and  that  only  the  poor  and  loofe  people  ufed  to  go  to 
confefs  in  the  church  ;  but  as  for  the  rich,  Pricfls,  and 
Nuns,  they  were  fent  for  by  them  in  the  afternoon,  and 
at  night ;  and  that  the  poor  Deafs  had  fcarcciy  time 

to 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  65 

to  get  their  refl  ;  and  that  when  they  were  fenc 
for,  the  common  price  was  a  piftole^  and  fometimes 
ten  piiloles,  according  to  the  quality  and  circumilan- 
ces  of  the  peribn.  And  thus  much  of  deaf  Con^ 
fejfors. 

4.  If  a  Fryar  or  a  prieft  comes  to  confefs,  every  bo- 
dy ought  to  fuppofe,  that  the  Father  Confeffor  has 
nothing  to  do,  but  to  give  the  penance,  and  pronounce 
the  words  of  abfokition  \  for  both  penitent  and  Uon- 
fefibr  being  of  the  fame  trade,  and  of  the  fame  corporation, 
or  brotherhood  \  the  fafhion  of  this  cloak  of  abfoki- 
tion is  not  paid  among  them,  and  they  work  one  for 
another,  without  any  interelT:,  in  expedation  of  the 
fame  return. 

This  muft  be  underftood  between  the  Fryars  only, 
not  between  a  Fryar  and  lecular  pried  •,  for  thefe  do 
not  like  one  anothc;r,  and  the  reafon  is,  becaufe  the 
Fryars,  for  the  generality,  are  fuch  ofncious  and  infi- 
nuatino;  perfons  in  families,  that  by  their  importunities 
and  aiTiduicy  of  vifits,  they  becon"je  at  iall  the  mailers 
ot  families,  and  goods  •,  fo  the  fecular  prieil  hath  no- 
thing to  buly  himfeif  with  \^  and  obferve,  that  there 
are  twenty  Fryars  to  one  fecular  prieil,  fo  the  fmall 
iiih  is  eaten  by  the  great  :  Therefore  if  it  happens 
fometimes,  upon  necellity,  that  a  pried  goes  to  conl'efs 
to  a  Fryar,  or  a  Fryar  to  a  pried,  they  make  ufe  of 
fuch  an  opportunity,  to  exad  as  much  as  ihey  can  from 
one  another. 

I  know  a  good  merry  pried,  who  had  been  \x\  com- 
pany with  a  Fryar's  dcvcta^  \.  e.  in  proper  terms,  mi^ 
Jlrefs  ',  and  did  jell  a  little  with  her  :  Afterwards  the 
poor  pried  having  fomething  to  confefs,  and  no  other 
ConfelTor  in  his  way,  but  the  Devoto  of  that  Bevcta^ 
he  was  forced  to  open  his  heart  to  him  •,  but  the  Con- 
feiTor  was  fo  hard  upon  him,  that  he  made  him  pay  on 
the  nail  tvvo  pieces  of  eight,  to  get  abfolution,  So  he 
did  pay  dear  for  jeding  with  the  nfidrefs  of  a  Fryar  ^ 
and  he  didproted  to  me,  that  if  ever  ic  happened,  than 

F  that 


66  Jl    MA  S  r  E  P.- K  E  r 

that  Fryar  fhould  come  to  confefs  to  him,  he  fhoulcf 
not  go  away  at  lb  cheap  a  rate. 

This  I  can  aver,  that  I  went  to  a  Francifcan  convent 
the  fecond  day  of  Augufi,  to  get  the  indulgences  of  the 
Jubilee  of  Porcimicul^^  and  my  Confeflbr  was  fo  hard, 
that  he  begun  to  perfuadc  me,  he  could  not  abfolve  me 
without  a  piftole  in  hand  :  f  told  him,  that  I  had  noc 
confefP."d  any  refer ved  fin,  and  that  he  did  not  know 
I  could  ruin  him. :  But  the  Fryar,  knowing  that  it  was 
a  great  fcandal,  to  get  up  from  his  feet  without  abfo- 
lution,  he  infifted  upon  it ;  and  I  was  obliged,  to  avoid 
fcandal,  to  give  him  his  demand.  After  the  confefTion 
was  over,  as  1  had  been  in  a  great  paffion  at  the  unrea*- 
fonable  ulage  of  the  Fryar  •,  I  thought  it  was  not 
fit  for  me  to  celebrate  the  (Viafs,  without  a  new  recon- 
ciliation, (as  we  call  the  ihort  confeiTion)  fo  I  went  to 
the  Father  guardian  or  fuperior  of  the  convent,  and 
confcffing  that  fin  of  paflion,  occafioned  by  the  covet- 
ous ufage  of  fuch  aconfefibr,  his  correction  to  me  was, 
to  pay  down  another  piftole  for  fcandalizing  both  thcf 
Fryar  and  the  Francifcan  habit  •,  I  did  refufe  the  correc- 
tion, and  I  went  home  without  the  fecond  abfoIutioHo 
I  had  a'  mind  to  expofe  both  of  them  \  but  upon  fecond 
thoughts,  I  did  nothing  at  all,  for  fear  that  the  whole 
order  fnould  be  againft  me. 

5.  If  a  modeft,  ferious,  religious  lady  comes  t<^  con- 
fefs, he  ufeth  her  in  another  way  •,  for  he  knows  that 
fiich  ladies  never  come  to  confefs,  without  giving  a 
good  charity  for  Mafles ;  fo  all  the  Confeffor's  care  is, 
to  get  himfelf  into  the  ladies  favour,  which  he  doth  by 
hypocritical  exprefTions  of  godlinefs  and  devotion,  of 
humility  and  ftridlnefs  of  life.  He  fpeaks  gravely  and 
confcientioufly,  and  if  the  lady  has  a  family,  he  gives 
her  excellent  advices,  as,  to  keep  her  children  within 
the  limits  of  fobriety  and  virtue,  for  the  worjd  is  foaV- 
ceitful,  that  we  ought  always  to  be  upon  our  guard  j 
and  to  watch  continually  over  our  fouls,  ^c.  And  by 
that  means  and  the  like,  (the  good  lady  believing  him 

a 


to    P^O  PERT.  6y 

a  fincere  and  devout  man)  he  becomes  the  guide  of  her 
foul,  of  her  houfe  and  family,  and  moil  commonly  the 
ruin  of  her  children,  and  fometimes  her  own  ruin  too. 
I  will   give    the    following    inftance    to    confirm   this 
truth  ;  and  as  the  thing  was  public,  I  need  not  fcruple 
to  mention  it  with   the  real  names.     In  the  year  1706, 
F.  Antonio  Gallardo,    Auguftin  Fryar,  murthered  Bona 
Ijahella  Mendez^  and  a  child  three  weeks  old  fuckino-  at 
her  bread.     The  lady  was  but  twenty    four  years  of 
age,  and  had  been  married  eight  years  to  Don  Francifco 
Mendez.     TheFryarhad  been   her  fpiritual  guide  ail 
that  while,  and  all  the  family  had  fo  great  a  refped  and 
efleem  for  him,  that  he  was  the  abfcJute  mafterof  ihe 
houfe,  ^  The  lady  was  brought  to  bed,  and  Don  Fran-^ 
cifco  being  obliged  to  go  into  the  country  for  four  days, 
dcfired  the  Father  to  come  and  lie  in  his  houfe,  and 
take  care  of  it  in  his  abfence.     The  father's  room  was 
always  ready  ;  fo  he  went  there  the  fame  day   Don 
Francifco  went  into  the  country.     At  eight  at  nicrht, 
both  the  Father  and  the  lady  went  to  (upper,  and  a'tter 
be  fent  all  the  maids  and  fervants  into  the  hall  to  fup,  the 
lady  took  the  child  to  give  him  fuck  j  and  the  Fryar 
told  her,  in  plain  and  (liort   reafons,  his  love,  and  that 
without  any  reply  or  delay,  fhe  muft  comply  with  his 
requeft.     The  lady  faid  to  him,  Father,  it  you  propofe 
fuch  a  thing   to  try  my  faithfulnefs    and  virtue,  you 
l^now  my  confcience  thefe  eight  years  pad;  and  if  you 
have  any  ill  defign,  I  will  call  my   family  to  prevent 
your  further  aflurance.     The  Fryar  then  in  a  fury,  tak- 
ing a  knife,  killed   the  child,  and   wounded  fo  deeply 
the  mother,  that  fhe  died  tv/o  hours  after  :   The  Fryar 
made  his  efcape ;  but  whether  he  went   to  his  convent 
or  not,  we  did  not  hear.     I  myfelf  faw  the  lady  dead^ 
and  went  to  her  burial  in  the  church  of  the  old  St.  John. 
6.  If  a  Beata  goes  to  confefs,   which  they  do  every 
day,  or  at   kaft  every  fecond  day,  then  the  ConfefTor, 
with  a  great  deal  of  patience,  hears  her,  (fure  of  his  re- 
wards) I  cannot  pafs  by,  without  giving  a  plain  defcrip- 

tion 


61  'A  M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

tion  of  the  women  called  Beaias,  i.  e.  l^IeJfeJ  tivcmtn* 
Thefe  are  moft  commonly  tradeirnen's  wives  (general^- 
ly  fpeaking,  ugly)  and  of  a  middle  age  :  Bui  this  rule 
has  fome  exceptions,  for  there  are  fome  Beatas  young 
and  handfome.  They  are  drefs'd  with  modefty,  and 
walk  with  a  ferious  countenance.  But  fmce  their  de~ 
figns,  in  this  outward  modefty,  were  difcovered,  they 
are  lefs  in  number,  and  almoft  out  of  fafhion,  fince 
'Kwig  Philip  came  to  the  throne  of  Spain  •,  for  the  French 
iibercy  and  freedom  being  introduced  amongft  the  la- 
dies, they  have  no  occafion  of  ftratagems  to  go  abroad 
whtrn  they  pieafe  :  So,  as  the  defign  of  a  Beata  was  to 
have  an  excufe,  on  pretence  of  confelTion,  to  so  out, 
juhlata  catifa^  tollit'ur  effe5fus. 

The  ConfelTor,  I  faid,  of  a  Beata^  was  fure  of  his  re- 
ward \  for  fhe,  watching  the  living  and  the  dead,  ufeth 
10  gather  money  for  mafTes,  from  feveral  people,  to  fa- 
tisty  her  confefTor  for  the  trouble  of  hearing  her  imper- 
tinences every  day.  A  Beata  fometimes  makes  the 
Confclfor  believe  that  many  things  were  revealed  to 
her  by  the  Holy  Spirit  \  fomeiimes  flie  pretends  to 
work  miracles ;  and  by  fuch  vifions,  fancies  or  dreams, 
the  Conftfl brs  fall  into  horrible  crimes  before  God  and 
the  world, 

*Ihe  foUovctng  ififiafice^  nzhich  was  pithlijfoed  by  the  hqui- 
fiiorSy  ivill  be  a  tejlimcny  of  this  truth.      I  do  gii-e  the 
real  names  of  the  perfons  in  this  account^  hecaufe  tha 
thing  was  made  public. 

IN  the  city  of  Za-agoza^  near  the  college  of  St.  Tho^ 
mas  of  Vilkmeuva^  did  live  Mary  Guerrero.,  married 
to  a  taylor  ;  Hie  was  handfomiC,  witty,  and  ambitious  : 
But  as  the  rank  of  a  taylor's  wife  could  not  make  her 
fhine  anTong  the  quality,  flie  undertook  the  lite  of  a 
Beatay  to  be  known  by  it  in  the  city.  The  firft  ftep  flie 
was  to  make  was  to  chufe  a  ConfefTor  of  good  parts, 
land  of  a  ecod  reputation  among  the  nobility  •,  fo  fl.e 

fc-  4  V  '-11 

,  pitched. 


io    P  O  P  E  R  r.  6g 

pitched  upon  the  reverend  Father  Fr.  Michael  Navarro^ 
a  BGininico.n  Fryar,  who  was  D.  D.  and  a  man  univer- 
klly  well  beloved  for  his  doctrine  and  good  behaviour. 
But,  qttando  Venus  vigilat^  Minerva  dor  mi  L  She  be- 
gan to  confefs  to  him,  and  in  lei's  than  a  year,  by  her 
feigned  modedy,  and  hypocritical  airs  •,  and  by  con- 
felTi ng  no  fins,  but  the  relicrious  exercifes  of  her  life  •, 
the  reverend  Father  began  to  publifli  in  the  city  her 
fandity  to  the  higheft  pitch.  Many  ladies  and  gentle- 
men of  the  firfl  rank,  dcfirous  to  fee  the  new  faint, 
fent  for  her,  but  fhe  did  not  appear,  but  by  her  maid, 
gave  a  denial  to  all.  This  was  a  new  addition  to  the 
fame  of  her  fandity,  and  a  new  incitement  to  the  ladies 
to  fee  her.  So  fome,  going  to  vifit  Father  Navarro^ 
defired  the  favour  of  him  to  oro  alono-  with  them,  and 
introduce  them  to  the  blelTed  Guerrero  :  But  the  Father, 
(either  bewitched  by  her,  or  in  expectation  of  a  bifliop- 
rick,  for  the  making  of  a  faint,  or  the  better  to  con- 
ceal hi.c  private  defigns,  anfwered,  that  he  could  not  do 
luch  a  thing  ;  for,  knowing  her  virtue,  modefty,  and 
averfion  to  any  a6l  of  vanity,  he  fhould  be  very  muck 
in  the  wrong,  to  give  her  opportunities  of  cooling  her 
fervent  zeal  and  purity. 

By  that  means,  rich  and  poor,  old  and  young,  men 
and  women,  began  to  refort  to  her  neighbour's  houle, 
and  the  Dominican  church,  only  to  fee  the  blelfed  Guer- 
rero, She  fhewed  a  great  difpleafure  at  thefe  popu- 
lar demqnfbrations  of  refpecl,  anH  refolved  to  keep 
.  clofe  at  home  ;  and  after  a  long  confukation  with  the 
Father  Navarro,  they  agreed  that  fhe  fnould  keep  her 
room,  and  that  he  would  go  to  confefs  her,  and  fay 
Mafs  in  her  room,  (for  the  Dominicans,  and  the  four 
Mendicant  orders,  have  a  pripiege  for  their  Fryars  iS 
fay  Mafs,  or,  as  they  fay,  to  fet  an  altar  every  where.) 
7  o  begin  this  new  way  of  living,  the  Fat'ker  charged 
her  huiband  to  quit  the  houfe,  and  never  appear  before 
his  wife  ;  for  his-fight  would  be  a  great  hindrance  to 
Ills  wife's  fanclity  and  purity  ;  and  the  poor  for,  believ- 
ing 


70  A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

ing  every  thing,  \Tent  away  and  took  a  lodging  for  him- 
fclf  and  apprentice. 

They  did  continue  this  way  of  living,  both  (he  and 
the  Father,  a  whole  year  \  but  the  tacigue  of  going  eve- 
ry day  to  fay  Mafs  and  confefs  the  blejfed^  bt^ing  too 
great  for  the  reverend,  he  afked  leave  trom  the  reve- 
rend Father  Buenacaja^  then  prior  of  the  convent,  to 
go  and  live  with  her  as  a  fpiritual  guide.  The  prior, 
forefeeing  lome  great  advantage,  gave  hin:i  leave,  and  fo 
he  went  for  good  and  all  to  be  her  lodger  and  mafter 
of  the  houfe.  When  the  Father  was  in  the  houfe,  he 
began  by  degrees  to  give  permiflion  to  the  people  now 
and  then  to  fee  the  Mrjfed^  through  the  glals  ot  a  little 
window,  defiring  then.i  not  to  make  a  node,  for  fear  of 
difturbing  the  bleffed  in  her  exercife  of  devotion  :  She 
was  in  her  own  room  always  upon  her  knees,  when 
fome  people  were  to  fee  her  through  the  glafs,  which 
was  in  the  wall  between  her  room,  and  that  of  the  reve- 
rend. In  a  fev/  months  after,  the  archbifliop  went  to 
fee  her,  and  converfed  with  her,  and  the  Father  Navar^ 
rOy  who  was  in  great  friendfhip  with,  and  much  honor- 
ed by  his  Grace.  This  'example  of  the  prelate  did  put 
the  nobility  in  mind  to  do  the  fame.  The  viceroy  not 
being  permitted  by  his  royal  rcprefentation  to  go  to 
her,  did  fend  his  coach  one  night  for  her,  and  both  the 
Father  and  the  hlej^ed  had  the  honor  to  fup  in  private 
with  his  Excellency :  This  being  fpread  abroad,  fhe 
was  troubled  every  day  with  coaches,  and  prefents  from 
all  forts  and  conditions  of  people.  Many  fick  went 
there  in  hopes  to  be  healed  by  her  fight  •,  and  fome  that 
did  happen  to  go,  when  nature  itfelt  was  upon  the 
crifis,  or  by  the  exercife  of  v/alking,  or  by  fome  other 
natural  operation,  finding  themfelves  better,  did  ufe  to 
cry  out,  a  miracle,  a  miracle  !  %\\^  did  want  nothing 
but  to  be  carried  on  a  pedefbal  upon  the  ignorant's 
fnouiders  :  The  fame  of  her  fan6lity  was  fpread  fo  far, 
that  file  was  troubled  every  poft-day  with  letters  from 
people  of  quality  of  other  provinces,  fo  the  reverend 

was 


io    F  0  P  E  R  r. 


yt 


was  obliged  to  take  a  fecretary  under  him,  and  a  por- 
ter to  keep  the  door ;  for  they  had  removed  to  another 
houfe  of  better  appearance,  and  more  conveniency.— * 
Thtis  they  continued  for  the  fpace  of  two  years,  and  all 
tnis  while  the  reverend  was  v/riting  the  life  of  the  Blejfed^ 
and  many  times  he  was  prelTed  to  print  part  of  her 
life  ;  but  the  time  of  the  difcovery  of  their  wickednefs 
being  come,  they  were  taken  by  an  order  from  the  ho- 
ly inquificion. 

The  difcovery  did  happen  thus.  Ann  Moron,  a 
chirurgeons  wife,  who  lived  next  door  to  the  Blejjed^ 
had  a  child  of  ten  months  old,  and,  as  a  neighbour, 
fhe  went  to  defire  the  reverend,  to  beg  of  the  Blejfed  to 
take  the  child  and  kifs  him,  thinking,  that  by  fuch  an 
holy  kifs,  her  child  v>^ould  be  happy  forever.  But  the 
reverend  defiring  her  to  go  herielf  and  make  the  requefl: 
to  the  Bkjfed,  fhe  did  it  accordingly.  Mary  Guerrerd 
took  the  chUd  and  bid  the  mother  leave  him  with  her 
for  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  Ann  Moron  thought  then 
that  her  child  v/as  already  in  heaven  ;  but  when  in  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  after  fhe  came  again  for  the  child, 
the  Bleff'ed  told  her,  that  her  child  was  to  die  the  night 
following,  for  fo  God  had  revealed  to  her  in  a  fhort 
prayer  Ihe  had  made  for  the  child.  The  child  really 
died  the  night  follov/ing,  but  the  furgeon,  as  a  tender 
father,  feeing  fome  fpots  and  marks  in  his  child's  body^ 
opened  it,  and  found  in  it  the  caufe  of  its  unfortunate 
death,  which  was  a  dafe  of  poifon.  Upon  this  fuf. 
picion  of  the  child's  being  poifoned,  and  the  foretel- 
ling his  death  by  the  Blefed,  the  Father  went  to  the 
inquifitors,  and  told  the  nature  of  the  thing. 

Don  Pedro  Guerrero  the  firft  inquifitor  was  then  ab- 
fent,^lo  Don  Francifco  Torrejon^  fecond  inquifitor.  went 
himieif  to  examine  the  thing,  and  feeing  the  child  dead^ 
and  all  the  circumftances  againft  the^  Bk[jed,  he  then 
ordered,  that  fhe  and  the  reverend,  and  all  their  dome- 
liic  fervants,  fliould  befecured  immediately,  and  lent  to 
the  holy  inquifition.     All  things  were  done  accordin^j^- 


72  A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  T 

ly,  and  this  fudden  and  unexpe6ted  accident  made  fnch 
a  nolle  in  town,  that  every  body  did  rcafon  in  his  own 
way,  but  no  body  dared  to  fpeak  of  the  inquifitor.  At 
the  fame  time  every  thing  in  the  houfe  wasfcized  upon, 
with  the  papers  of  the  reverend,  &c.  Among  the  pa- 
pers was  found  the  life  of  the  Bleffed^  written  by  father 
Ndvarro^s  own  hand.  I  faid  in  the  beo-inninR,  that  he 
was  bewitched,  and  fo  many  people  did  beheve  •,  for  it 
leemed  incredible  that  io  learned  a  mian,  as  he  was  in 
his  own  religion,  Hiould  fall  into  {o  grofs  an  ignorance, 
as  to  write  fuch  a  piece,  in  the  method  it  was  found 
compofed ;  for  the  manufcript  contained  about  600 
fheets,  v;hich  by  an  order  of  the  inquifitors,  were  fenc 
to  the  qualijicatGrs  of  the  holy  office  to  be  reviewed  by  them, 
and  to  have  their  opinions  thereupon.  I  lliall  fpeak  of 
thefe  qualificators,  when  I  come  to  treat  of  the  inquifi- 
tors and  their  practices.  Now  it  is  fufficient  to  fay,  that 
all  the  qualificators,  being  examinators  of  the  crimes, 
committed  againfl  the  holy  catholic  faith,  did  examine 
the  llieets,  and  their  opinion  was,  that  the  book  intitled 
the  life  of  the  bleffed  Mary  Guerrero^  compofed  by  the 
reverend  Father  Fr.  Michael  Navarro^  was  icandalous, 
falfe,  and  againft  revealed  doctrines  in  the  fcripture,  and 
good  manners,  and  that  it  deierved  to  be  burnt  in  the 
common  yard  of  the  holy  office,  by  the  mean  officer  of 
it. 

After  this  examination  was  made,  the  inquifitors  did 
fummon  two  pricfts  out  of  every  parifh  church,  and  two 
Fryars  out  of  every  convent,  to  come  luch  a  day  to  the 
,hall  of  the  holy  tribunal  to  be  prefent  at  the  trial  and 
examinations  againft  Mary  Guerrero^  and  Michael  Na- 
^jarro.  It  was  my  turn  to  go  to  that  trial  tor  the  ca- 
thedral church  of  St.  Salvator.  We  went  the  day  ap- 
pointed, all  the  fummoned  priefts  and  Fryars,  to  the 
number  of  a  hundred  and  fifty,  befides  the  inquifitor*, 
officers  of  the  inquifition,  and  qualificators,  thefe  had 
the  crofs  of  the  holy  office, before  their  breafts,  which 
is  fet  upon  their  habits  in  a  very  nice  manner.     The 

number 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  73 

number  of  qualificators  I  reckoned  that  day  in  the 
hall  were  two  hundred  and  twenty.  Whcrn  all  the  fum- 
moned  were  together,  and  the  inquifitors  under  a  ca- 
nopy of  black  velvet  (which  is  placed  at  the  right  cor- 
ner of  the  altar,  upon  which  was  an  image  of  the  cru- 
cifix, and  r.x  yellow  v^ax  candles,  without  any  otner 
light)  they  made  the  fignal  to  bring  the  prifoners  to  the 
bar,  and  immediately  they  came  out  ot  the  prilbn,  and 
kneeling  down  before  the  holy  Fathers,  the  fecretary  be- 
gan to  read  the  articles  of  the  examinations  and  con- 
viclions  of  their  crimes. 

Indeed  both  the  Father  and  the  Blejfed  appeared 
that  day  very  much  like  faints,  if  we  will  believe  the 
Romanes  proverb,  that  palenefs  and  thin  vifage  is  a 
iign  cf  fanflity.  The  examination,  and  the  ledure  of 
their  crimes  was  fo  long,  that  we  werefummoned  three 
times  more  upon  the  fame  trial,  in  which,  to  the  belt 
«fmy  memory,  I  heard  the  following  articles. 

That  by  the  Blejfedh  confeffion  to  Michael  Navarro^ 
this  in  the  beginning  oi  her  life  fays  :  id.  That  blef- 
fed  creature  kne^^^  no  fin  fine e  floe  was  horn  into  the  world. 
2d.  ^he  has  been  fever  at  times  vifited  by  the  angels  in 
her  clofet  \  andje'us  Chriji  himfelf  has  come  down  thrice 
to  give  her  new  heavenly  infiru5iions,  3d.  She  was  ad- 
vifed  by  the  divine  fpoufe  to  live  fepar ate ly  from  her  huf- 
hand.  4th.  ishe  was  once  favoured  with  a  vifit  of  the  ho  - 
ly  trinity^  and  then  fhe  faw  Jefus  at  the  left  hand  of  the 
Father.  5th.  The  holy  dove  came  afterwards  and-  fat 
upon  her  h^d  many  times.  6th.  This  holy  comforter  has 
foretold  J^er,  that  her  body  after  death  f jail  be  ulways'tn- 
corruptible^  and  that  a  great  king^  with  the  news  of  her 
death.,  fbfill  come  to  honor  her  fepukhre  with  this  mo^io^ 
The  foul  ot  this  warrior  (*)  is  the  glory  of  my  king- 
dohi.  7th.  Jefus  Chrift  in  a  DominicanV  habit  appear-- 
ed  to  her  at  night.,  and  in  a  celefiial  dream  fhe  was  over^ 
fhadowedbythefpirit.     8  th.  She  had  taken  out  of  pur ga^ 

G  tory 

(•)  Guerro  in  Spanilh  ligaifies  warrior. 


74  AMASTER^KET 

tory  /even  times  the  foul  of  his  companion's  Jifier.  (What 
folly  !}  9th.  The  Peps  and  the  whole  church  fh alt  re^ 
joice  in  her  deaih  ;  nay^  his  Holinefs  fball  canonize  her^ 
and  put  her  in  the  Lit^.ny  before  the  apojlles^  i^c.  After 
thefe  things  her  private  miracles  were  read,  ^c,  and  fo 
many  palTages  of  her  life  that  it  would  be  too  tedious 
to  give  an  account  of  them.  I  only  write  thefe,  to 
fhew  thellupidity  of  the  reverend  Navarro^  who,  if  he 
had  been  in  his  perfed  fenfes,  could  not  have  commit- 
ted fo  grofs  an  error.  [This  was  the  pious  people's 
opinion.]  The  truth  is,  that  the  Bleffed  v/as  not  over- 
fhadov^ed  by  the  fpirit,  but  by  her  ConfefTor ;  for  (he 
beincr  at  that  time  with  child,  and  delivered  in  the  in- 
quifition,  one  article  againft  the  Father  was,  that  he 
had  his  bed  near  her  bed,  and  that  he  was  the  father  of 
the  new  child,  or  monfter  on  earth. 

Their  fentences  were  not  read  in  public,  an^d  what 
was  their  end  we  know  not  y  only  we  heard,  that  thehuf- 
band  of  the  Blefjed  had  notice  given  to  him  by  an  officer 
of  the  holy  office,  that  he  was  at  liberty  to  marry  to  any 
other  he  had  a  fancy  for  ;  and  by  this  true  account,  the 
public  may  eafily  know  the  extravagancies  of  the  Romifh 
ConfefTors,  who,  blinded  cither  by  their  own  paffions, 
or  by  the  fubtleties  of  the  wicked  Beatas^  do  commit 
fo  great  and  heinous  crimes,  &c. 

There  is  another  fort  of  Beatas,  whom  we  call  Ende- 
rnoniadas^  i.  e.  Bemoniacks^  and  by  thefe  pofTelTed  the 
ConfelTor  gets  a  vaft  deal  of  malfes.  I  will  tell  you, 
reader,  the  nature  of  the  thing,  and  by  it  you  will  fee 
the  cheat  of  the  Confefibr  and  the  Bemoniack.  I  faid 
before,  that  among  the  Beatas  there  are  two  forts, 
young,  and  of  a  middle  age,  but  all  married  ;  and  that 
the  young  undertake  the  way  of  confeffing  every  day, 
or  three  times  a  week,  to  get  opportunity  of  going 
abroad,  and  be  delivered  a  while  from  their  hufband's 
jealoufies  :  But  many  hufbands  being  jealous  of  the 
fiies  that  come  near  their  wives,  they  fcarcely  give  thern 
leave  to  go  to  confeisi.  Obfer  ve  further,  that  thofe  wo- 
men 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  ys 

men  make  their  hufbands  believe,  that  out  of  fpite,  a 
witch  has  given  them  the  evil  fpirit,  and  they  make 
{uch  unufual  geflures,  both  with  their  faces  and  mouths, 
that  it  is  enough  to  make  the  world  laugh  only  at  the 
fight  of  them.  When  they  are  in  the  fit  of  tht^  evil 
fpirit,  they  talk  blafphemoufly  againft  God  and.  his 
faints,  they  beat  hufbands  and  fervants  ;  they  put  them- 
felves  in  fuch  a  fweat,  that  when  the  evil  fpirit  leaves 
them  for  awhile  (as  they  fay)  they  cannot  ttand  upon 
their  feet  for  very  fatigue.  The  poor  deceived  huf- 
bands, troubled  in  mind  and  body,  fend  for  a  phyfi- 
cian ;  but  this  fays,  he  has  no  remedy  for  fuch  a  dif- 
temper,  and  that  phyfic  knows  no  manner  of  devil,  and 
fo,  their  dealing  being  not  with  the  fpirit,  but  with 
the  body,  he  fends  the  huiband  to  the  fpiritual  phyfi- 
cian  •,  and  by  that  means  they  are,  out  of  a  good  de- 
fign,  procurers  for  their  owd  wives  j  for  really  they  go 
to  the  Spiritual  Father,  begging  his  favour  and  afiiil- 
iincQ  to  come  to  exorcife,  i.  e.  to  read  the  prayer  of 
the  church,  and  to  turn  out  the  evil  fpirit  out  of  his 
wife's  body.  Then  the  Father  makes  him  underfland, 
that  the  thing  is  very  troublefome,  and  that  if  the  de- 
vil is  obftinate  and  pofitive,  he  cannot  leave  his  wife 
in  three  or  four  nights  ,  and  may  be,  in  a  month  or 
two  ;  by  which  we  mull  neglect  other  bulinefs  of  ho- 
nor and  profit.  To  this  the  deluded  hufoand  promi- 
fes  that  his  trouble  fhall  be  well  recompenfed,  and  puts 
a  piece  of  gold  in  his  hand,  to  make  him  eafy  j  fo  he 
pays  before  hand  for  his  future  difhonor.  I'hen  the 
Father  Exorcift  goes  along  with  him,  and  as  fooh^  as 
the  wife  hears  the  voice  of  the  Exorcift,  fhe  flies  into 
an  unmeafurabie^ fury, and  cries  out,  do  not  let  that  man 
(meaning  the  Exorci^;  come  to  torment  me  (as  if  the 
devil  did  fpcak  in  her  and  for  her.)  But  he  takes  the 
hyfop  with  holy  water,  and  fprinkles  the  room.  Here 
the  Demoniack  throweth  herfelf  on  the  ground,  teareth 
her  clothes  and  hair,  as  if  ihe  was  perfediy  a  mad  wo- 
man.     Then  the  Prieft  tieth  As  biefTed  Stola^,  1,  e. 


76  A    MAS  r  E  R-K  E  T 

a  fort  of  fcarf,  they  make  ufe  of  among  other  orna- 
ments to  fay  Mafs,  upon  her  neck,  and  begins  the 
prayers  :  Sometimes  the  devil  is  very  tim.orous  and 
leaves  the  creature  immediately  eafy  •,  lbmetim.es  he  is 
obilinate,  and  will  refift  a  long  while  before  he  obeys 
the  Exorcifms  of  the  church  ^  but  at  lafl  he  retires 
himlelr"  into  his  own  habitation,  and  frees  the  creature 
from  his  torments  *,  for,  they  fay,  that  the  dtvil  or  evil 
fpn'it,  fjmetimes  has  his  place  in  the  head,  lometimes 
in  the  (lomach,  fometimes  in  the  liver,  i^c.  After  the 
woman  is  eafy  for  a  while,  they  go  ail  to  take  a  refrefli- 
ment,  they  eat  and  drink  the  befl  that  can  be  lound  in 
the  town. 

A  while  after,  when  the  hufband  is  to  mind  his  own 
bufinefs,  the  wife,  on  pretence  that  the  evil  fpirit  be- 
gins again  to  trouble  her,  goes  into  her  chamber  and 
defireth  the  Father  to  hear  her  confeflion.  They  lock 
the  door  after  them,  and  what  they  do  for  an  hour  or 
two,  God  only  knov/eth.  Thefe  private conf efTions  and 
exercifes  of  devotion  continue  for  feveral  months  toge- 
ther, and  the  hufband,  loth  to  go  to  bed  with  his  wife, 
tor  fear  of  the  evil  fpirit,  goes  to  another  chamber,  and 
the  Father  lieth  in  the  fame  room  with  his  wife  on  a 
field-bed,  to  be  always  ready,  when  the  malignant  fpi- 
rit comes,  to  exorcife,  and  beat  him  with  the  holy  Stola. 
So  deeply  ignorant  are  the  people  in  that  part  of  the 
world,  or  fo  great  bigots^  that  on  pretence  of  religious 
remedies  to  cure  their  wives  of  the  devililh  diftemper, 
they  contrad  z  worfe  diftemper  on  their  heads  and  ho- 
nors, which  nophyfician,  either  fpiritual,  or  corporal, 
can  ever  cure. 

When  in  a  month  or  two,  the  Father  and  the  Demo- 
niack  have  fettled  matters  between  themfelves,  for  the 
time  to  come,  he  tells  the  hiiiband,  that  the  devil  is 
in  a  great  meafure  tamed,  by  the  daily  exorcifms  of 
the  holy  mother  the  church,  and  that  it  is  time  for  him 
to  retire,  and  mind  other  bufinefs  of  his  convent ;  and 
thatj  it  being  impoflible  for  him  to  continue  longer  in 

his 


to    P  O  P  E  R  T.  77 

his  houfc,  all  he  can  do,  is  to  ferve  him  and  her  in  his 
convent,  if  fhc  goes  there  every  day.     The  hulband, 
with  a  great  deal  of  thanks,   pays  the  Father  for  his 
trouble,  who  taking  his  leave  goes  to  his  community, 
arid  gives  to  the  Father  Prior  two  parts  of  the  money 
(fjr  the  third  part  is  allowed  to  him  for  his  own  pains.) 
Tfe  day  following,  in  the  morning,  the  Demomack  is 
worfe  than  fhe  was  before  :  Then  the  hufband,  out  of 
faith,  and  zeal  of  a  good  Chriftian,  crieth  out,  the  Fa- 
ther is  gone,  and  the  devil  is  loofe  :  The  Exorcifms  of 
the  church  are  not  ready  at  hand,  and  the  evil  fpiric 
thinks  himfelf  at  liberty  and  begins  to  trouble  the  poor 
creature  :   Let  us  fend  her  to  the  convent,   and  the 
bold,  malignant  fpirit  Ihall  pay  dear  there  for  this  new 
attempt.     So  the  wife    goes  to    the  Father,  and   the 
Father  takes   her  into  a  little  room,   next  to  the  veft- 
ry,  (a  place  to  receive  their  acquaintance,  only  of  the 
female  fex)  aid  there  both  in  private,  the  Father  ap- 
peafes  the  devil,  and  the  woman  goes  quiet  and  eafy  to 
her  houfe,  where  fhe  continues  in  the  fame  eafinefs  till 
the  next  morning.     Then  the  devil  begins  to  trouble 
her  again  ;  and  the    hufband  fays,  O  obflinate  fpirit  ! 
You  make  all  this  noife  becaufe  the  hour  of  being  beat- 
en   with  the   holy  Stola,  is  near  :  I  know  that  your 
fpite  and  malice  againll  the  Exorcilms   of  the  church 
is  great  •,  but  the  power  of  them  is  greater  than  thine : 
Go,  go  to  the  Father,  and  go  through  all  the  lalhes  of 
the  S(ola.     So   the   woman  goes  again  to  the  Father, 
and  in  this   manner  of  life  chey    continue  for   a  long 
while. 

There  is  of  thefe  Beatas  in  every  convent  church, 
not  a  few,  for  fometimes,  one  of  thofe  Exorcijls  keeps 
fix,  and  fometimes  ten,  by  whom,  and  their  hufbands, 
he  is  very  well  paid  for  the  trouble  of  confclTing  them 
every  day,  and  for  taming  the  devil,  but  the  moft 
pleafant  thing  among  tkofe  Bemoniacks  is,  that  they 
have  different  devils,  that  trouble  them  ^  for  by  a  flridb 
commandment  of  the  Father,  they  are  forced   to  tell 

their 


78  A    MASrER-KET 

their  names,  fo  one  is  called  Belzehuh,  another  Lucifer^ 
If^c.  And  thofe  devils  are  very  jealous  one  of  another* 
I  law  feveral  times,  in  the  body  of  the  church,  a  battle 
among  three  oi  thofe  Demoniacks^  on  pretence  of  being 
in  the  fit  of  the  evil  fpirit,  threatening  and  beating  one 
another,  and  calling  one  another  nicknames,  till  the 
Father  did  come  with  the  hyfop,  holy  water  and  the 
Stola^  ro  appeafe  them,  and  bid  them  to  be  filent,  and 
not  to  make  fuch  a  noife  in  the  houfe  of  the  Lord.  And 
the  whole  matter  was  (as  we  knew  afterwards)  that 
the  Father  Exorclfl  was  more  careful  of  one,  than  of 
the  others  j  and  jealoufy  (which  is  the  worfe  devil) 
getting  into  their  heads,  they  give  it  to  their  refpec* 
tive  devils,  who,  with  an  infernal  fury,  did  fight  one  a- 
gainft  another,  out  of  pet  and  revenge  for  the  fake  of 
their  lodging  room. 

In  the  city  Huefca^  where  (as  they  believe)  Pontious 
Pilate  was  profefior  of  law  in  the  Univerfity,  and  his 
chair,  or  part  of  it,  is  kept  in  the  bifhop's  palace  for 
a  {how,  and  a  piece  of  antiquity,  (and  which  I  law  my 
fclf)  I  fay,  I  faw,  and  convcrfed  both  with  the  Father 
Exorciji  and  the  Beata  Demcniack  about  the  following 
inftance. 

The  thing  being  not  publicly  divulged,  but  among 
a  few  perlbns,  I  will  give  an  accout  of  it  under  the 
names  of  father  John  and  Dorothea^  this  Dorothea  when 
13  years  old,  was  married,  againft  her  inclinations,  to  a 
Cradefman  50  years  old.  The  beauty  of  Dorothea^ 
and  the  uglinefs  of  her  hufband  were  very  much,  the 
one  admired,  and  the  other  obferved  by  all  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  city.  The  Bifbop's  fecretary  made  the 
match,  and  read  the  ceremony  of  the  church,  for  he 
was  the  only  executer  of  her  iather*s  will  and  tefla- 
mcnt :  She  was  known  by  the  name  of  Young  dancing 
eyes.  Her  hufband  was  jealous  of  her,  in  the  higheft 
degree  ;  flie  could  not  go  out  without  him,  and  fo  ffte 
fuffered  this  torment  for  the  fpace  of  three  years.  She 
had  an  averfion,  and  a  great  antipathy  againft  him.— 

Her 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r. 


7i 


Her  Confeflbr  w^a  young,  vvrell  fhaped  Fryar,  and 
whether  out  of  hffown  contrivance,  or  by  the  Fryar's 
advice,  one  day,  unexpedled  by  her  hufband,  the  devil 
was  detedled  and  manifefted  in  her.  What  afBidliom 
this  was  to  the  old,  amorous,  jealous  hufband,  is  inex- 
prefTible.  The  poor  man  went  himfelf  to  the  Jefuit's 
college,  next  to  his  houfe,  for  an  Exorcift^  but  the  Je-^ 
fuit  could  do  nothing  to  appeafe  that  devil,  to  the  great 
furprife  of  the  poor  hufband  &  many  others  too,  who 
do  believe,  that  a  Jeftiit  can  command  and  overcome 
the  devil  himfelf,  and  that  the  devils  are  more  afraid 
of  a  Jefuit^  than  of  their  fovereign  prince  in  hell. 

The  poor  hufband  did  fend  for  many  others,  but  the 
cfTed  did  not  anfv/er  to  the  purpofe  ;  till  at  lafl  her 
own  ConfeiTor  came  to  her,  and  after  many  exorcifms, 
and  private  prayers,  fhe  was  (or  th®  devil  in  her)  pa- 
cified for  a  while.  This  was  a  teflimony  of  the  Father 
John's  fervent  zeal  and  virtue  to  the  hufband,  fo  they 
fettled  how  the  cafe  was  to  be  managed  for  the  future. 
Fryar  John  was  very  well  recompenfed  upon  the  bar-* 
gain  •,  and  both  the  Bemoniack  and  Fryar  John  con-* 
tinued  in  daily  battle  with  the  evil  fpirit  for  two  years 
together.  The  hufband  began  to  deep  quiet  and  cafy, 
thinking  that  his  wife,  having  the  devil  in  her  body, 
was  not  able  to  be  unfaithful  to  him ;  for  while  the 
malignant  torments  the  body,  the  woman  begins  to  fafl 
in  public  and  eat  in  private  with  the  Exorcift\  and  the 
cxercifes  of  fuch  Demoniacks  are  all  of  prayers  and  de- 
votions, fo  the  deceived  hufband  believes  that  it  is  bet- 
ter to  have  a  Demoniack  wife,  than  one  free  from  the 
evil  fpirit. 

The  Exorcifms  of  Fryar  John  (being  to  appeafe  not 
afpiritual,  but  a  material  devil)  he  and  Dorothea  were 
both  difcovered,  and  found  in  the  fad,  by  a  Fryar  of 
the  fame  convent,  who,  by  many  prefents  from  Fryar 
John  and  Dorothea^  did  not  reveal  the  thing  to  the  Pri- 
or, but  he  told  it  to  fome  of  his  friends,  which  were 
enemies  to  Fryar  John^  from  whem  1  heard  the  flory. 

For 


lo  'AMASrER-KET 

For  my  part,  T  did  not  believe  it  foj^  while,  till  at  laft, 
I  knew,  that  the  Fryar  John  was  removed  into  another 
convent,and  that  Dorothea  left  her  houfe  and  hufband, 
and  went  after  him  ;  though  the  hufband  endeavoured 
to  fpread  abroad,  that  the  devil  had  ftolen  his  wife.— 
Thefe  are  the  efFeds  of  the  pradtices  oi  tha  Demoniacks 
and  Exorctfis, 

Now  I  come  to  the  perfons  of  public  authority^  either  in 
ecclefiafiical^  civil  or  military  affairs^  and  to  the  ladies 
of  the  firji  quality  or  rank  in  the  world.  As  to  thofe^ 
I  mufi  beg  leave  to  tell  the  truth,  as  well  as  oj  the  in- 
ferior people.  But,  becauje  the  Confejfors  of  Juch  perfons 
are  mofi  commonly  alljefuits,  it  fee7ns  very  a  propos  to 
give  a  defcription  of  thofe  Fathers,  their  practices  and 
lives,  and  to  write  of -them,  to  the  befi  of  my  knowledge 
and  memory,  what  I  know  to  be  the  matter  of  fa^, 

ALMOST  in  all  the  Roman- Catholic  countries, 
the  Jefuit  Fathers  are  the  teachers  of  the  Latin 
tongue,  and  to  this  purpofe,  they  have  in  every  college 
(fo  they  call  thfir  convents)  four  large  rooms,  which 
are  called  the  four  clafTes  for  the  grammar.  There 
is  one  teacher  in  each  of  them.  The  city,  corporation, 
or  politic  body,  paying  the  Reftor  of  the  Jefiiits  fo 
much  a  year,  and  the  young  gentlemen  are  at  no  ex^ 
pence  at  all  for  learning  the  Latin  tongue.  The  fcho- 
iars  lodge  in  town,  and  they  go  every  day,  from  eight 
in  the  morning  till  eleven,  to  the  college ;  and  when 
the  clock  ftrikes  eleven,  they  go  along  with  the  four 
teachers  to  hear  Mafs  :  They  go  at  two  in  the  after^ 
noon,  till  half  an  hour  after  four,  and  fo  they  do  all 
the  year  long,  except  the  holy  days,  and  the  vacations 
from  the  fifteenth  of  Auguff,  till  the  ninth  of  September. 
As  the  four  teachers  receive  nothing  for  their  trouble, 
becaufe  the  payment  of  the  city  goes  to  the  communi- 
ty, they  have  contrived  how  to  be  recompenied  for 
their  labour  :  There  were  in  the  college  of  Zaragoza^ 

when 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  li; 

whea  I  learned  Latin,  very  near  fix  hundred  fcholars, 
noblemen,  and  tradefmen's  Tons,  every  one  was  to  pay 
every  Saturday  a  real  of  plate  for  the  rule  fas  they  call 
it.)     There   is  a  cuftom,  to   have    a  public  literal  a6b 
once  every  day,  to  which  are  invited  the  young  gentle- 
men's parents,  but  none  of  the  common  people.     The 
Father  Rfdor  and  all  the  community  are  prefent,  and 
placed  in  their  velvet  chairs.     To  the  fplendid  per- 
formance of  this  ad,  the    tour  teachers   ehufe   twelve 
gentlemen,  and  each  of  them  is  to  make,  by  heart,  a 
Latin  fpeech   in  the  pulpit.     They   chufe  befides  the 
twelve,  one  Emperor,    two  Kings,  and  two  Frctors, 
which  are  always  the  mod  noble  of  the  young  gentle- 
tlemen  :  They  wear  crowns  on  their  heads  that  day^ 
which  is  the  diftinguifhing  character  of  their  learning. 
The  Emperor  fits  under  a  canopy,  the  Pretorson  each 
fide,  and  the  Kings  a  flep  lower,  and  the  twelve  Sena- 
tors in  two  lines  next  to  the  throne.     This  ad  lafts  three 
hours ;  and  after  ail  is  over,  the  teachers  and  the  Fa- 
ther Redor  invite  the  nobility  and  the  Emperor,  with 
the  Precors,  Kings  and  Senators,  to  go  to  the  common- 
hall  of  the  college,  to  take  a  refrefliment  of  the  moft 
nice  fweet-meats  and  bed  liquor.     The  Fathers  of  the 
Emperor,  Kings,  Pretors  and  Senators,  arc  to  pay  for 
all  the  charges  and  ex pences,  which  arc  fixed  to  be  a 
hundred  piftoles  every  month.     And  every  time  there 
arc  new  Emperors  or  Kings,  ^r.  by  moderate  compu- 
tation, we  were  fure,  that  out  of  the  remainder  of  the 
hundred   piftoles  a  month,  and  the  real  of  piate  every 
week  from  each  of  the  fcholars,  the  four  Father  teach- 
ers had  clear,  to  be  divided  am^ong  themfelves  every 
year,  fixceen  hundred  piftoles. 

We  muft  ov/n,  that  the  Jefuits  are  very  fit,  and  the 
moft  proper  perfons  for  the  education  of  youth,  and 
that  all  thefc  exercifes  and  public  ads  (though  for  their 
interefts)  are  great  ftimulations  and  incitements  to  learn- 
ing in  young  gentlemen  ;  for  one  of  them  will  ftudf 
Alight  and  day,  only  to  get  the  empty  title  of  Emperor^ 


82  'AMASrER'KET 

t3c.  once  in  a  month  -,  and  their  parents  are  very  gladi 

to  expend  eight  piftoles  a  year,  to  encourage  their  fons  j 

and  befides  that,  they  believe   that   they  arc    under  a 

great  obligation  to  the  Jefuits  college,  and  the  Jefuits 

knowing  their  tempers,   become,  not  only   acquainted 

with  them,  but  abfolute  mailers  of  their  houfes  :  I  muft 

■own  likewife,  that  I  never  heard  of  any  Jejuit  Father, 

"any  thing  againft  good  manners  or  Chriftian  converfa- 

tion  ;  for  really,  tkey  behave  themfelves,  as  to  outward 

-appearance,  with  fo  great  civility,  modefly  and  policy, 

that  no  body  has  any  thing  to  fay  againft  their  deport" 

•ment  in  the  world,  except  felf  interefl,  and  ambition. 

And  really  the  Jefuits  order  is  the  richeft  of  all  the 
ordcr<^  in  Chriftendom  ;  and  becauiethe  reafon  of  it  is 
not  well  knov/n,  I  will  tell  now  the  ways  by  which  they 
gather  together  fo  great  treafures  every  where.  As 
they  are- univerfal  teachers  of  the  Latin  tongue,  and 
have  this  opportunity  to  know  the  youth,  they  pitch 
upon  the  moft  insenious  young  men,  and  upon  the 
richeft  of  all,  though  they  be  not  very  witty  :  They 
fpare  neither  time,  nor  perfuafions,  nor  preients,  to  per- 
fuade  them  to  be  of  the  fociety  of  Jefus  (fo  they  name 
their  order  :)  The  poor  and  ingenious  are  very  glad  of 
it,  and  the  noble  and  rich  too,  thinking  to  be  great  men 
upon  the  account  of  their  quality  :  So  their  colleges 
are  connpofed  of  witty  and  noble  people.  By  the  no- 
ble gentlemen,  they  get  riches  -,  by  the  witty  and  inge- 
nious, the^  fupport  their  learning,  and  breed  up  teach- 
ers and  great  men  to  govern  the  confciences  of  Prin- 
ces, people  of  public  authority,  and  ladies  of  the  fiift 
rank. 

They  do  not  receive  ladies  in  private,  in  their  colle- 
ges, but  always  in  the  middle  of  the  church  or  cha- 
pel ;  they  never  fet  down  to  hear  them.  They  do  not 
receive  charity  for  MalTes,  nor  Beatas^  nor  Demomacks 
in  their  church,  (I  never  faw  one  there)  their  modefty 
and  civil  manners  charm  every  one  that  fpeaks  with 
them  i  though  I  believe,  all  that  is  to  carry  on  their 

private 


$0    P  O  P  E  R  T.  83 

private  ends  and  interefls.  They  are  indefatigable  in 
the  procuring  the  good  of  fouis,  and  fending  miflion- 
aries  to  catechife  the  children  in  the  country  ♦,  and  they 
have  fit  perfons  in  every  college  for  all  forts  of  exer- 
cifes,  either  of  devotion,  of  lav/,  or  policy,  ^c.  They 
entertain  no  body  within  the  gate  of  the  college,  fo  no 
body  knows  what  they  do  among  themfelves.  If  it 
ibmetimcs  happens  that  one  doth  not  anfwer  their  ex- 
pedlation,  after  he  has  taken  the  habit,  they  turn  hira 
out;  for  they  have  fourteen  years  trial :  But  as  foon 
as  they  turn  him  out,  they  underhand  procure  ahand- 
fome  letttlement  for  him  -,  fo  he  that  is  expelled  dareth 
not  to  fay  any  thing  againil  them,  for  fear  of  lofing 
his  bread.  And  if,  after  he  is  out,  he  behaves  himfelf 
well,  and  gets  fome  riches,  he  is  fure  to  die  a  Je- 
fuit. 

I  heard  of  Don  Pedro  Segovia^  who  had  been  a  Jefu- 
ity  but  was  turned  out,  but  by  the  Jefuits  influence,  he 
got  a  prebendary  in  the  Chathedral  church,  and  was 
an  eminent  preacher.  He  was  afterwards  conilantly 
vifited  by  them,  and  when  he  came  to  die,  he  afked 
again  the  habit,  &  being  granted  to  him,  he  died  a  Jer 
juit^  and  by  his  death  the  Jefuits  became  heirs  of 
twenty  thoufand  piftoles  in  money  and  lands. 

Their  are  Confelfors  of  kings  and  princes,  of  mini*- 
fters  of  (late,  and  generals,  and  of  all  the  people  of 
diftindtion  and  eftates.  So,  it  is  no  wonder  if  they  arc 
mailers  of  the  tenth  part  of  the  riches  in  every  king- 
dom, and  if  God  doth  not  put  a  flop  to  their  covctouf- 
nefs,  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  one  way  or  other,  they  will 
become  mafters  of  all  ;  for  they  do  not  feek  dignities, 
being  prohibited,  by  the  conftitutions  of  their  order,  to 
be  Bifhops,  and  Popes-,  it  only  is  allowed  to  them  to 
be  Cardinals,  to  govern  the  Pope  by  that  means,  as 
well  as  they  do  rule  Emperors,  Kings  and  Princes.  Ac 
this  prefent  time  all  the  Sovereigns  of  Europe  have 
jefuits  for  their  Confeflbrs. 

Now  it  is  high  time  to  come  to  fay  fomething  as  to 

their 


84  'J   M  A  S^  E  R'K  E  r 

their  practices  in  confefTions ;  and  I  will  only  fpeak  of 
thofe  \  knew  particularly  well. 

Firft^  The  reverend  Father  Navafques^  profefibr  of 
divinity  in  their  college,  was  chi^fen  Confefibr  of  the 
Countefs  of  Fuentes^  who  was  left  a  widow  at  twenty- 
four  years  of  age.  This  lady,  as  well  as  other  perfons 
of  quality,  kept  a  coach  and  fcrvant  for  the  Father  Con- 
fefibr. He  has  always  a  Father  companion  to  fay  Mafs 
to  the  lady.  She  alloweth  fo  much  a  year  to  the  col- 
lege, and  fo  much  to  her  Confefibr  and  his  companion. 
All  perfons  have  an  oratory  or  chapel  in  their  houfes, 
by  difpenfation  from  the  Pope,  for  which  they  pay  a 
great  deal  of  money.  Their  way  of  living  is  thus,  in 
the  morning  they  fend  the  coach  and  fervant  to  the 
college,  moft  commonly  at  eleven  of  the  clock  :  The 
Father  goes  every  day  at  that  time,  and  the  lords  and 
ladies  do  nor  confefs  every  day  ;  they  have  Mafs  faid 
at  home,  and  after  Mais,  the  reverend  fl:ays  in  the  la- 
dies company  till  dinner-time :  Then  he  goes  to  the 
college  till  fix  in  the  evening,  and  at  fix  goes  again  to 
fee  the  lady,  or  lord,  till  eleven.  What  arc  their  dif- 
courfes  I  do  not  know  :  This  I  know,  that  nothing  is 
done  in  the  family  without  the  reverend's  advice  and 
approbation  :  So  it  was  with  the  Countefs's  family,  and 
when  file  died,  the  college  got  four  choufand  pifl:oles 
a  year  from  her. 

The  reverend  Father  Muniejfa^  Confefi!br  of  the 
Dutchefs  of  Villahermofa^  in  the  fame  manner  got,  at 
her  death  thirty  thoufand  piftoles,  and  the  reverend  Fa- 
ther Aranda^  ConfefiTor  to  the  Countefs  of  Aranda^  got 
two  thouland  pifiioles,  yearly  rent  from  her,  all  for  the 
college.  Now  what  means  they  make  ufe  of  to  be- 
witch the  people  and  to  fuck  their  fubfiiance,  every  bo- 
dy may  think,  but  no  body  may  guefs  at.  An  inge- 
nious politician  was  aficed,  how  the  Jefuits  could  be 
rightly  defcribcd  and  defined,  and  he  gave  this  defini- 
tion of  them.  Amici  frigid^  ^  inimici  calidi^  i.  e.  cold 
friends  and  warm  enemies.  And  this  is  all  I  can  write 
concerning  their  manners  and  pradices.  Be- 


tQ  p  0  p  E  R  r.  85 

Before  I  difmifs  this  fiibjed,  I  cannot  pafs  by  one  in- 
ftance  more,  touching  the  pradices  of  ContelTors  in 
general,  and  that  is,  that  fince  1  came  to  thefe  northern 
countries,  I  have  been  told  by  gentlemen  of  good  fenfe, 
and  ferious  in  their  converfation,  that  many  Priefts  and 
Fryars  were  procurers  (when  they  were  in  thofe  parts 
of  the  world)  and  did  fhew  them  the  way  of  falling  in- 
to the  common  fin.  It  is  no  doubt  they  know  all  the 
lewd  women  by  auricular  confefilon,  but  1  could  not 
believe  they  would  be  fo  villanous  and  bafe,  as  to  make 
a  (how  of  their  wickednefs  before  flrangers.  This  I 
xnuft  fay  in  vindication  of  a  great  many  of  them  (^for 
what  I  do  write  is  only  of  the  wicked  ones)  that  they 
are  many  times  engaged  in  fome  intrigues  unknown  to 
themfelves,  and  thtry  are  not  to  be  blamed,  but  only  the 
perfons  that,  with  talfe  infinuations,  do  make  them  be- 
lieve a  lie  for  a  truth,  and  this,  under  a  pretence  of  de- 
votion* To  clear  this  I  will  tell  a  (lory,  which  was  told 
me  by  a  Colonel  in  the  EngliJJj  fervice,  who  lives  at 
prefent  in  London. 

He  faid  to  me,  that  an  officer,  a  friend  of  his,  was 
prifoncr  in  Spain  :  His  lodgings  were  oppofite  to  a 
Counfellor's  houfe.  The  Counfeilor  was  old  and  jea- 
lous, the  lady  young,  handfome  and  confined,  and  the 
officer  well  fhaped  and  very  fair.  The  windows  and 
balconies  of  the  Counfeilor  were  covered  with  narrow 
lattices,  and  the  officer  never  law  any  woman  of  that 
houfe  :  But  the  lady,  who  had  feveral  times  feen  him  at 
his  window,  could  not  conceal  long  her  love,  fo  (he 
fent  for  her  Father  Confefil)r,  and  fpoke  with  him  in  the 
following  m.anner  :  My  reverend  Father,  you  are  my 
fpiritual  guide,  and  you  muft  prevent  the  ruin  of  my 
foul,  reputation  and  quietnefs  of  my  life.  Over  the 
way,  faid  fhe,  lives  an  Englijh  officer,  who  is  conftantly 
at  the  window,  making  figns  and  demonflrati.ns  of  love 
to  me,  and  though  I  endeavour  not  to  haunt  my  balco- 
ny, for  fear  of  being  found  out  by  my  fpoufe  ;  my 
waiting  maid  tells  me  that  he  is  always  there.     You 

know 


§6  'JMASrER'KET 

know  my  fponfe's  temper  and  jealoufy,  and  if  he  ob- 
ferves  the  lead  thin^  in  the  world,  I  am  undone  fore- 
ver. So,  to  put  a  timely  (top  to  this,  I  beg  you  would 
be  (o  kind  as  to  go  over  and  defire  him  to  make  no 
more  figns  \  and  that  if  he  is  a  gentleman,  as  he  Teems 
to  be,  he  never  will  do  any  thing  to  difquiet  a  gentle* 
woman.  The  credulous  ConfeiTor,  believing  every  fyl- 
lable,  went  over  to  the  Englijb  officer,  and  told  him  the 
meflage,  afking  his  pardon  tor  the  liberty  he  took  ,  but 
that  he  could  not  help  it,  being,  as  he  was,  the  lady*s 
Conftffjr. 

The  officer,  who  was  of  a  fiery  temper,  anfwer'd  him 
in  a  refolute  manner.  Hear,  Fryar,  faid  he  to  the  Con- 
feflbr,  go  your  way,  and  never  come  to  me  with  fuch 
falie  iiories,  for  I  do  not  know  what  you  fay,  nor  I  ne- 
ver faw  any  lady  over  the  way.  The  poor  Father,  full 
of  fhame  and  fear,  took  Vt is  leave,  and  went  to  deliver 
the  anfwer  to  the  lady.  What,  laid  fhe,  doth  he  deny 
the  truth  }  1  hope  God  will  prove  my  innocency  be- 
fore you,  and  that  before  two  days.  The  Father  did 
comfort  her,  and  went  to  his  convent.  The  lady  fee- 
ing her  defign  fruftrated  this  way,  did  contrive  another 
to  let  the  officer  know  her  inclination  :  So  one  of  her 
fervants  wrote  a  letter  to  her  in  the  officer's  name,  with 
many  lovely  expreffions,  and  defiring  her  to  be  in  her 
garden  at  eight  m  the  dark  evening,  under  a  fig-tree 
next  to  the  walls.  And  recommending  to  her  fervant 
t'he  fecret,  fealed  the  letter  direded  to  her.  Two  days 
after  (he  fent  for  her  Confeflbr  again  ;  and  told  him. 
Now  my  reverend  Father,  God  has  put  a  letter,  from 
the  officer,  into  my  hands,  to  convince  him  and  you  of 
the  truth.  Pray  take  the  letter,  and  go  to  him,  and  if 
he  denies,  as  he  did  before,  fhew  him  his  ov/n  letter,  and 
I  iiope  he  will  not  be  fo  bold  as  to  trouble  me  any 
more.  He  did  it  accordingly,  and  the  Englijh  gentle- 
man anfwered  as  the  firft  time  •,  and  as  he  flew  into  a 
paffion,  the  Father  told  him,  Sir,  fee  this  letter,  and 
anfwer  me  j  which  the  officer  reading,  foon  underftood 

the 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  87 

the  meaning,  and  faid,  Now,  my  good  Father,  I  muft 
own  my  folly,  for  I  cannot  deny  my  hand- writing,  and 
to  afTure  you,  and  the  lady,  that  1  (hall  be  a  quite  dif- 
ferent man  for  the  future,  pray  tell  her  that  I  will  obey 
her  commands,  and  that  I  will  never  do  any  thing  a- 
gainfl:  her  orders.  The  ContelTor,  very  glad  of  fo  un- 
expeded  good  fuccefs,  as  he  thought,  gave  the  anfwer 
to  the  lady,  adding  to  it.  Now  madam,  you  may  be  qui- 
et, and  without  any  fear,  for  he  will  obey  you.  Did 
not  I  tell  you,  faid  (h^^  that  he  could  not  deny  the  facl 
of  the  letter  ?  So  the  Con^elTvjr  went  home,  having  a 
very  good  opinion  of  the  lady,  and  of  the  Englijb  olti- 
cer  too,  who  did  not  fail  to  go  to  the  rendezvous,  &c. 

Every   ferious,  religious   man  will  rather  blame  the 
wicked  lady,  than  the  ConfelTor ;  for  the  poor  man,  tho* 
he  was  a  procurer  and  inflrument   ot  bringing  that  in- 
trigue to  an  effed,  really  he  was  innocent  all  the  while  ; 
and  how  could  he  furpe6l:  any  thing  of  wantonnefs  in  a 
lady  lb  devoutly  affedled,  and  {o  watchful  of  the  ruin 
of  her  foul,  honor,  and  quietnefs  of  her  life  ?  We  muft 
excufe  them  in  fuch  a  cafe  as  this  was,  and  fay.  That 
many  and  many  ContefI(3rs,  if  they  are  procurers,  they 
do  it  unknown  to  themfelves,.and  out  of  pure  zeal  for 
the  good  of  the  fouls,  or  to  prevent  many  diiturbances 
in  a  family  :  But  as  for  thofe  that,  out  of  wickednefsj 
bufy  themfelves  in  fo  bafe  and  villanous  exercifes,  I  fay, 
heaven   and  earth  ought  to  rife  in  judgment  againft 
them.     They  do  deferve  to  be  puniQied  in  this  world, 
that,  by  their  example,  the  fame  exercife  might  be  pra- 
vented  in  others. 

I  have  given  an  account  of  fome  private  Confef- 
fions  of  both  fexes,  and  of  the  moll  fecret  prad:ices  of 
fome  of  the  Kcman-catholic  pnefh,  according  to  what 
I  promiied  the  public  in  my  prmted  propofals.  And 
from  all  that  is  written  and  faid,  I  crave  leave  to  draw 
fome  few  inferences. 

Firfl",  I  fay  that  che  Pope  and  councils  are  the  ori- 
ginal caufcs  of  the  aforefaid  mifdoings  and  ill  praiftices 

of 


88  AMASTER-KET 

cf  the  Romijh  pricfls  :  Marriage  being  forbidden  to  t 
pried,  not  by  any  commandment  of  God  or  divine 
icripture,  but  by  a  flricEl  ordinance  from  the  Pope, 
an  indifputable  canon  of  the  council.  This  was  not 
pra6lifed  by  them  for  many  centuries  after  the  death 
of  our  Saviour  ;  and  the  prielh  were  then  more  reli- 
gious, and  exemplary  than  they  are  now.  I  know  the 
reafons  their  church  hath  for  it,  which  I  will  not  con- 
trad  id,  to  avoid  all  fort  of  controverfy  :  But  this  I  may 
fay,  that  if  the  priefts,  Fryars  and  Nuns  were  at  lawful 
liberty  to  mairy,  they  would  be  better  Chriftians,  the 
people  richer  in  honor  and  ellates,  the  kingdom  better 
peopled,  the  King  ftronger,  and  the  Romijh  religion 
more  free  from  foreign  attempts  and  calumnies. 

They  do  make  a  vow  of  chaftity,  and  they  break 
it  by  living  loofe,  lewd,  and  irregular  lives.  They  dd 
vow  poverty,  and  their  thirft  for  riches  is  unquencha* 
ble,  and  whatever  they  get  is  mod  commonly  by  un- 
lawful means :  They  fwear  obedience,  and  they  only 
obey  their  lufts,  pafiions  and  inclination.  How  many 
fins  are  occafioned  by  binding  themfelves  with  thefe 
three  vows  in  a  monafticai  life  ?  It  is  inexpreflible, 
and  all,  or  the  greater  number  of  fins  committed  by 
them,  would  be  hinder'd,  if  the  Pope  and  council  were 
to  imitate  the  right  foundations  of  the  primitive  church, 
and  the  Apoftks  of  Jefus  Chrift  our  Saviour. 

As  to  particular  perfons,  among  the  priefts  and  Fry- 
ars, touching  their  corruptions  and  ill  pradices  in 
auricuiar  confeffion,  I  fay,  they  do.  ad  againft  divine 
and  human  law  in  fuch  pradices,  and  are  guilty  of 
fcrveral  fins  cfpecially  Sacrilege  and  Robbery,  It  is 
true,  the  Mcral  Snmms  are  defedive  in  the  inftrudion 
of  ConfefTors,  as  opinions,  grounded  in  the  erroneous 
principles  of  their  church  :  But  as  to  the  fettled  rules 
for  the  guiding  and  advifing  the  penitent,  what  he 
ought  to  do.  to  walk  uprightly,  they  are  not  dcfedive  j 
fo  the  ConfefTors  Cannot  plead  ignoramus  for  fo  doings 
and  confequently  the  means  they  make  ufe  of  in  the 

tribunal 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r. 

tribunal  of  confcience,  are  all  finful,  being  only  to  de* 
ceive  and  cheat  the  poor,  ignorant  people. 
,  Their  pra6lices,  then,  are  againft  divine  and  humane 
law,  contrary  to  holy  fcriptures,  nay,  to  humanity  it- 
iclf  :  For,  Tbou  that  teachefi  another^  thou  fh alt  not  kill-^ 
nor  commit  adultery^  nor  fieaU  nor  covtt  thy  neighboufs 
goods,  nor  wife  :  Doft  thou  all  thofe  things  ?  And  to 
infift  only  on  y^m/^^<?  and  robbery.  What  can  it  be 
but  robbery,  and  facrilege,  to  Tell  abfolution,  or  which 
is  the  fame  thing,  to  refufe  it  to  the  pemitnt,  if  he  doth 
not  give  fo  much  money  for  mafTcs  ? 

This  may   be  cleared  by  their  own  principles,  and 
by  the  opinions  of  their  cafuiflical   authors,    who   do 
agree  in  this,  vix,^  That  there  are  thre^  forts  q{  facrilege^ 
or  a  facrilege  which  may  be  committed  three  differenC 
ways.     Thefe  are  the  cxprefiions  they  make  ufe  of. 
Sacrum  in  jacro  :  Sacrem  e;>c  Jacro :  Sacrem  pro  facro^ 
That  isj  to  take  a  facred  thing  for  a  facred  thing,  a  fa- 
cred  thing  in  a  facred  place  :   And  a  facred  thing  oue 
of  a  facred  place.     All  thcfe  three  are  robbery  and  fa- 
crilege together,  according  to  their  opinions  ;  and  I  faid 
that  the  ConfefTors  in  their  practices  are  guiky  of  all 
three  ;  for  in  their  opinion,  the  holy  tribunal  of  con- 
fcience IS  a  facred  thing  j  the  abfolution  and  confecra- 
ted  church  are  facred  likewife.     As  for  the  money  ojv- 
en  for  the  relief  of  the  fouls  in   purgatory,  Cordla  ia 
his  moral fum-^:xy^,  that  that  is  a  facred  thing  too.    Now 
It  IS  certain  among  them,  that  no  Prieft  can  receive  mo- 
ney  for  abfolution  diredlly  nor  indiredly  :   Thofe  thea 
that  take  it,  do  rob  that  money    which  is    unlawfully 
taken  rrom  the  penitent  •,  and  it  is  2i  facrilege  too,  be- 
eaufe  they  take  a  facred  thing  for  a  facred  thino- .,  viz. 
the  facred    money   for  MaiTcS  taken   for  abfolution. 
1  ntry  take  that  facred  thino;  in  a  facred  place,  vi2.   la- 
the lacred  tribunal  of  confcience  :   And  they   take  a 
iacred  thing  out  of  a  facred  place,  viz.  the  church. 

Again  :  Though  moft   commonly,  S^iodcurnque   li^ 
gavensfupr  ierram,  erit  ligatum  iS  in  cdis,  is  under- 

I  flood 


90  'A    M  A  S  r  E  R-  K  E  r    . 

flood  by  them  literally,  and  the  Pope  usurps  the  pow- 
er of  abfolvmg  mt^n  without  contririon,  provided  they 
have  attrition,  or  only  cont-efiion  by  m-  uth,  as  we  fhall 
fee  in  th-.^  followins;  chapter  of  the  P.  pc's  bull  :  Ne- 
yerthelefs  thr  Cafuiils  when  they  come  to  treat  of  a  per- 
fe6t  contrfTion  un'^er  the  lacrament  of  penance,  they 
tinanimoufly  fay,  that  three  thinp^s  are  ablllutely  necef- 
fa'-v  to  a  prrfe.^  confefll  )n,  and  to  falvatinn  too,  v'xtu 
Oris  co'tfi'JJio^  cordis  contritio^  and  cperis  [aiisfoHio, 
Th)uoh  at  the  fame  tim^  they  fay,  except  in  cafe  of 
pontificial  difptniation  with  faculties,  privileges,  indul- 
gencies,  and  pardon  of  all  fins  committed  by  a  man  : 
But  thou?,h  they  except  this  cafe,  I  am  fure,  they  do  it 
out  of  obedience,  and  flittery,  rather  tha*i  their  own 
belief.  If  they  then  believe,  that  without  contrition 
of  heart,  the  abfolution  is  of  no  effedl,  why  do  they  per- 
fuade  the  contrary  to  the  penitent  ?  Why  do  they 
take  money  for  abfolution  ?  It  is,  then,  a  cheat,  rob- 
bery, and  facrilege. 

Seconxily.  I  fay,  that  the  ConfefTors  (generally 
fp^akine)  are  the  occafion  of  the  ruin  of  many  families, 
of  many  thefts,  debaucheries,  murthers,  and  divifions 
among  feveral  families,  (for  which  they  mull  anfwer 
before  that  dreadful  tribunal  of  God,  when,  and  where 
all  rhe  fecret  pradlices  and  wickcdnefs,  Ihall  be  difclo* 
it(S  -5^  add  to  this,  that  by  /jmr«/^r  confeflion,  they  are 
acquainted  with  the  tempers  and  inclinations  of  people, 
\&hich  contribute  very  much  to  heap  up  riches,  and  to 
make  ihemfelves  commanding  mailers  of  all  forts  of 
perfors  -,  for  when  a  ConfclTor  is  thoroughly  acquaint- 
ed with  a  man's  temper,  and  natural  inclinations  \  it  is 
the  moil  eafy  tiling  in  the  woil.l  to  bring  him  to  his 
own  opinion,  and  to  be  mailer  over  him  and  his  fub- 
iB:ance.  »  ^ 

That  the  ConfefTors,  commonly  fpeaking,  are  the 
occafion  of  all  the  aforefaid  mifchiefs,  will  appear  by 
the  •■ollowino;  obfervations. 

Firfc.     They  get  the  beft  cftates  from  the  .rich  peo- 
ple. 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  ct 

p]e,  for  the  ii'c  and  benefit  of  their  commnnirie<?,  by 
which  many  and  many  privatr  perions  and  whole  fa'iii- 
lies,  are  reduced  an  !  mined.  Oblervc  now  ihcir  prac- 
tices as  to  the  fuk.  Ira  nobleman  ot  a  good  eliate  is  ve- 
ry ill,  thr  ConfVfr)r  miift  be  by  him  night  and  dav, 
and  when  he  goes  lo  fi  ep  his  companion  fuppiies  his 
place  to  dind,  and  exhort  the  lick  to  die  as  a  good 
Chridian,  and  to  advilc  him  how  to  make  his  lad  will 
and  ceilam.'nc.  If  the  CjnfciT^r  is  a  downrii^ht  honeil: 
man,  he  m>ull  betray  his  principles  of  honefty  or  difo- 
blit/e  his  fuperior,  and  all  the  community,  by  gettino- 
nothing  from  the  fick ;  lb  he  chargeth  upon  the  poor 
man's  conlcience  to  leave  'lis  convent  thcu^ai  ds  o:  Mai- 
fes,  for  the  fpeedy  delirery  of  his  foul  our  of  pu^gao- 
ry  i  and  befides  that,  to  lettle  a  yearly  Mafs  for  ever 
upon  the  convent,  and  to  leavtr  a  voluntary  gift,  that 
the  Fryars  may  remember  him  in  their  public  and  pii- 
vate  prayers,  as  a  benefador  of  that  community  :  And 
in  thefe  and  otiier  legacies,  and  charities,  three  parts  of 
his  eftate  goes  to  the  church,  or  convents.  But  if  the 
Confeffor  has  a  large  conlcitnce,  then  vvithont  any 
Chriitian  corfiderarion  for  the  Tick's  famdy  and  poor  re- 
lations, he  makes  ufe  of  all  the  means  an  inhuman,  co- 
vetous man  can  invent  to  get  the  whole  eftate  for  his 
convent.  And  this  is  the  reafon  why  they  are  fo  rich, 
and  fo  many  families  fo  poor,  reduced,  and  ruined. 

From  thefe  we  may  infer  /i?<f//j,  murtber?^  debaucbe* 
ries,  and  divifions  of  families.  I  fav,  the  Confeflbrs  are 
the  original  cauff  of  all  thefe  ill  conlequcnces;  for 
when  they  take  the  bed  of  tftates  for  then  felves,  no 
\tonder  if  private  perfons  and  whole  families  are  left  ia 
fuch  want,  and  neceOity,  that  they  abandon  thcmlelves 
to  all  forts  of  fins,  and  hazards  of  lofing  both  lives 
and  honours,  rather  than  to  abate  fomcihing  of  their 
pride. 

I  mioht  prove  this  by  feveral  inflances,  which,  I  do 
not  queition,  are  very  well  known  by  many  curious 
people ;  and  though  iume  malicious  pcribns  are  apt  to 

fulled:. 


p  ^J    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

flifped,  that  fuch  Inflances  arc  mere  dreams,  or  forgei 
ries  of  envious  people,  for  my  part  I  do  believe,  that 
many  ConfclTors  are  the  original  caufe  of  the  aforefaid 
evils,  as  may  be  fecn  by  the  following  matter  of 
facff. 

In  the  account  of  the  Jefuits  and  their  pra61:lces,  I 
faid,  that  the  reverend  Navafques  was  the  Confeflbr  of 
the  Conntefs  of  Fuentes,  who  was  left  a  widow  at  24 
years  of  age,  and  never  married  again  :  For  the  Reve- 
rend's care  is  to  advife  them  to  live  a  fingle  life.  (Puri- 
ty being  the  firft  (lep  to  Heaven.)  The  lady  Countefs 
had  no  children,  and  had  an  eflate  of  her  own,  of  4000 
piftoles  a  year,  befides  her  jewels  and  houfhold  goods, 
which,  after  her  death,  were  valued  at  15000  piftoles. — 
AH  thefe  things,  and  her  perfonal  eflate,  were  left  to 
the  Jefuits  college,  though  (he  had  many  near  rela- 
tions, among  whom  I  knew  two  young  gentlemen,  fe- 
cond  coufins  of  her  ladyfhip,  and  two  young  ladies 
}cept  in  the  houfe  as  her  coufins  too.  She  had  pro- 
mifed  to  give  them  a  fettlement  fuitable  to  their  quali- 
ty and  merits  ;  which  promife  the  Father  ConfefTor  did 
confirm  to  them  fevcral  times :  But  the  lady  died,  and 
both  the  young  ladies  and  the  two  gentlemen  were  left 
under  the  providence  of  God,  for  the  countefs  had  for- 
gotten them  in  ber  lafl  will  •,  and  the  Father  ConfefTor 
took  no  notice  of  them  afterward.  The  two  young  la- 
dies did  abandon  themfelves  to  all  manner  of  private 
pleafures  at  firfl,  and  at  laft  to  public  wickednefs.  As 
to  the  young  gentlemen,  in  afew  months  after  the  lady's 
death,  one  left  the  city  and  went  to  ferve  the  King,  as 
a  cadet  \  the  other  following  a  licentious  life,  was  rea- 
dy to  finifti  his  days  with  (hame  and  difhonour  on  a 
public  fcafFold,  had  not  the  goodnefs  and  compafiion  of 
the  Marquis  of  Camarajfa,  then  vice-roy  oi  Aragon^ 
prevented  it.  Now,  whether  the  Father  Confeffor  fhall 
be  anfwerable  before  God,  for  all  the  fins  committed  by 
the  young  ladies,  and  one  of  the  gentlemen,  for  want 
of  what  they  did  expedt   from  the  countefs,  or  not  ? 

God 


U    P  O  P  E  R  r.  g^ 

iSod  only  knows :  We  may  think  and  believe,  that  if 
the  lady  had  provided  for  them  according  to  their  con- 
dition in  the  world,  in  all  human  probability,  they  had 
rot  committed  iuch  fins  :  Or  if  the  college,  or  the  re- 
verend Father  had  been  more  charitable,  and  compaf^ 
fionate  to  the  condition  they  were  left  in,  they  had  put 
a  timely  flop  to  their  wickednefs. 

Thirdly.  I  fay,  that  ConfefTors  and  preachers  are 
the  occafion,  that  many  thoufands  of  young  men  and 
women  chufe  a  fmgle,  retired  life,  in  a  monaftery,  or 
convent  ;  and  therefore  are  the  caufe  of  many  families 
being  extinguiftied,  and  their  own  treafures  exceedingly 
increafed. 

If  a  gentleman  has  two  or  three  fons,  and  as  many- 
daughters,  the  ConfefTor  of  the  family  advifeth  the 
father  to  keep  the  eldeft  fon  at  home,  and  fend  the 
reft,  both  fons  and  daughters,  into  a  convent  or  monafte- 
ry ;  praifing  (he  monaftical  life,  and  faying,  that  to  be 
retired  from  the  world,  is  the  fafeft  way  to  heaven. 
There  is  a  proverb  which  runs  thus  in  Englifli  :  //  is 
letter  to  he  alone^  than  in  had  company.  And  the  Con- 
fefibrs  do  alter  it  thus  :  //  is  better  to  he  alone^  than  in 
good  company.  Which  they  pretend  to  prove  with  fo 
many  lophiftical  arguments,  nay,  with  a  paftage  from 
the  fcriprure  \  and  this  not  only  in  private  converfion, 
but  publicly  in  the  pulpit.  I  remember  I  heard  my 
celebrated  Mr.  F.  James  Garcia  preach  a  fermon  upon 
the  fubjed  of  a  retired  life,  and  folitude,  which  fermon 
and  others  preached  by  him  in  Lent^  in  the  cathedral 
church  of  St.  Sahator,  were  printed  afterwards.  The 
book  is  in  folio,  and  its  title  ^adragefma  de  gracia. 
He  was  the  firft  preacher  I  heard  make  ufe  of  the 
above  proverb,  and  to  aker  it  in  the  aforefaid  way  ; 
and  to  prove  the  fenfe  of  his  alteration  he  faid  :  Remem- 
ber the  woman  in  the  apocalypfts.  that  ran  from  heaven 
into  the  defert.  What !  Was  not  that  wom^an  in  hea- 
ven, in  the  company  of  the  ftars  and  planets,  by  which 
lire  reprefentcd  all  the  heavenly  fpirits  ?  Why  then 

quits 


94  'A    MASTER^  KET 

quits  fhe  that  c-ooH  cnmpinv,  an!  chufes  to  be  alone 
in  adcftrtplacc?  EvXaule  (fiid  he)  that  w  ^man  is  the 
bcly  foul^  and  for  a  loul  that  dcfireth  to  be  holy,  'tis 
h^wtx  to  be  alone  ihin  in  good  company.  Jn  the  de- 
fert,  in  the  conven::,  in  the  monaflery,  the  fcul  is  fafe, 
free  from  fundry  remprati  .ns  of  the  world  •,  and  fo  ic 
belongs  to  a  Chrillian  foul,  not  only  to  run  from  bad 
compan-es,  but  to  quit  the  beft  company  in  the  world 
and  retire  into  the  delert  of^  convent,  or  monaftery,  if 
that  foul  dtfiierh  to  be  holy  2ind  pure.  This  was  his 
proof ;  and  if  he  had  not  been  my  mafter,  1  would 
have  b.en  bold  to  make  fome  refl  dions  upon  it ;  But 
the  refpedl  of  a  difcipL-,  bel  )ved  by  him,  rs  enough  to 
make  rre  filcnt,  and  leave  to  che  reader  the  fatisfadiori 
cf  rtflcding  in  hiS  own  way,  to  which  1  heartily  fub-» 
niit. 

Thtfe,  1  fay,  are  the  advices  the  ConfefTors  give 
tn  the  fathers  of  families,  who,  glad  of  lerTenin-j;  the 
expences  of  the  houle,  and  of  lecing  their  child'en 
provided  for.  do  fend  them  into  the  defert  place  of  a 
convent,  which  is  really  in  the  middle  of  the  world. 
Now  obferve,  that  it  's  twenty  to  one,  tliat  their 
heir  dieth  before  he  marrieth  and  have  children  ;  fo 
the  eliate  and  every  thing  elTe  falls  to  the  fecond,  who 
is  a  profefieci  Fryar,  or  Nun,  and  as  they  cannot  ufe  the 
exprefTion  oi  nieum,  or  itium^  all  goes  that  way  to  the 
community.  And  this  is  the  realon,  why  many  fami- 
lies are  txtinguiflied  and  their  names  quite  out  of  me- 
mory *,  the  convenr  fo  crov\  ded,  the  kingdom  "ic  thin  of 
people :  And  the  Fryars,  Nuns  and  Monafteries  fo 
rich. 

Fourthly.  I  fay,  that  the  ConfefTors,  Priefts,  and 
efpecially  Fryars,  make  good  this  faying  among  the 
common  people  :  Fn7^,  o  fraude  es  iodo  uno  :  i.  e.  Fry- 
ar or  fraud  is  the  f  me  thing  ;  for  they  not  only  de- 
fraud whole  families,  but  make  ufe  of  barbarious,  inhu- 
man means  to  get  the  tflatts  of  many  rich  perlons. 

The  Marquis  oi  Arino  had  one  only  daughter,  and 

his 


to    ?  0  P  E  R  r,  95 

Ills  fecond  bVorher  wa«;  an  Augujlian  Fryar,  under  whofe 
care  the  Marquis  lefc  his  daughter  wh'-n  he  di.-d.  S.'ie 
wa^  fiheen  years  o^'age,  rich  and  hanJl^m?.  Her  un- 
cle anJ  execurer  wis  at  that  time  dodlor  and  profeflbr 
od'vinity  in  the  univeiTuy,  an  I  prior  of  the  convent, 
and  could  njt  pei  Tonally  take  care  of  his  niece  and  her 
fafTidy  ;  Pj  he  defircd  one  ot  her  aunts  to  go  a.td  live 
with  her,  aid  frnc  anotSer  Fryar  D)  be  like  a  fteward 
and  overlVer  of  the  houfe;  The  uncle  was  a  good 
honert  man  and  migiuy  relLiious.  He  m  nJed 
more  his  office  ^^f  a  prior,  his  (lu  ly  an. 1  exerciles  of 
devotion,  than  the  riches,  p  mp,  m.ignificence,  and  va- 
nity of  the  world  v'*i'^\  ftting  that  the  d»fchari:e  of  his 
duty  and  that  of  an  -x  x'ucer  of  his  niece  were  inconfift- 
cnttog^thrT,  be  did  relolve  to  marry  her.  Which  he 
did  to  the  Ba*-on  Suelves^  a  young,  handlome,  healthy, 
rich  gentleman  :  But  he  died  Icvcn  mon-hs  after  his 
marriae,  i'o  the  good  uncle  w;  s  agjin  at  tfe  fame  trou- 
ble anvl  care  of  his  n'ece,  who  was  left  a  widow  but  not 
with  child.  After  the  year  of  her  mourning  was  expi- 
red, fhr  was  m  irried  to  the  gre  it  prefident  of  the  coun- 
cil, who  wa>  afterwards  great  chancellor  of  the  kingdom, 
but  he  di  d,  leaving  n)  children.  The  firft  and  fecond 
hufband  \tn  all  their  eftates  to  her-,  and  (he  was  rec- 
koned to  have  eighty  thoufmd  puloles  in  yearly  rent  and 
goods.  A  year  afier,  Don  Pedro  Carillo  brigadier- 
f  eneral,  and  genrral  governor  of  the  kingdom  married 
her,  but  has  no  children  by  her.  I  left  both  the  gover- 
nor and  the  lady  alive,  when  I  quitted  the  country. 
Now  I  com"  to  the  point.  It  was  fpecified  in  all  the 
marches  bet^e<n  the  gentlemen  and  the  lady,  that  if 
they  had  no  dfue  by  her,  all  her  eft  ate  and  goods  fhould 
fall  to  the  uncle  a  a  fecond  brother  of  her  father  •,  and 
fo  ev:  necejjuale  the  convent  fhould  be  forever  the  only 
enj oyer  of  it.  It  was  found  uu^  but  too  late,  that  the 
Fiyar  (tevard,  before  fhe  was  ft  tl  married,  had  given 
};er  a  dofe  to  make  her  a  barre-i  womm  ;  and  thou.':li 
no  body  dia  believe  that  the  uncle  had  any  hand  in  it. 


56  ^A    M  A  S  "T  E  R-K  i  T 

(fo  great  an  opinion  the  world  and  the  lady's  hufband 
had  of  him)  every  body  did  fufpedt  at  firft  the  Fryar 
ftcward,  and  fo  it  was  conliVmed  at  laft  by  his  own 
canfefTion  ;  for  being  at  the  point  of  death,  he  owned 
the  fa6t  publicly  and  his  defign  in  it. 

Another  inftance.  A  lady  of  the  firfl:  rank,  of  eigh- 
teen years  of  age,  the  only  hcirefs  of  a  confiderable  e- 
ftate,  was  kept  by  her  parents  at  a  diftance  from  all 
forts  of  company,  except  only  that  of  the  Confellor  of 
the  family,  who  was  a  learned  and  devout  man  :  But 
as  thefe  Reverends  have  always  a  P'ather  companion  to 
afTift  them  at  home  and  abroad,  many  times  the  mif- 
chief  is  contrived  and  efFe6led  unknown  to  the  Con- 
fefTor,  by  his  v^^icked  companion  •,  fo  it  happened  in  this 
inftance.  The  fame  of  the  wonderful  beauty  of  this 
young  lady  v/as  fpread  fo  far  abroad,  that  the  King  and 
Queen  being  in  the  city  for  eight  months  together,  and 
not  feeing  the  celebrated  beauty  at  their  court,  her 
Majefty  allied  her  father  one  day,  whether  he  had  any 
children  ?  And  when  he  anfwered,  that  he  had  only  one 
daughter,  he  was  defired  by  the  Qiieen  to  bring  her 
along  with  him  to  court,  the  next  day,  for  flie  had  a 
great  defire  to  fee  her  beauty  fo  admired  at  home  and 
abroad.  The  father  could  not  refufe  it,  and  io  the  nexc 
day  the  lady  did  appear  at  court,  and  was  fo  much  ad- 
mired that  a  grandee  (who  had  then  the  command  of 
the  army,  though  not  of  his  own  palTions)  faid,  this  is 
the  firft  time  3  fee  the  fun  among  the  ftars.  The  grandee 
began  to  covet  that  ineftimable  jewel,  and  his  heart 
burning  in  the  agreeable  flame  of  her  eyes,  he  went  to 
fee  her  father,  but  could  not  fee  the  daughter.  At  laib 
(all  his  endeavours  being  in  vain,  for  he  was  married) 
he  fent  for  the  ConfefTor's  companion,  whofe  intereil 
and  mediation  he  got  by  money  and  fair  promiks  of 
raifmg  him  to  an  ecclefiaftical  dignity :  So  by  that  means 
he  fent  a  letter  to  the  lady,  who  read  it,  and  in  very  fev^r 
days  he  got  her  conient  to  difguife  himfelf  and  come  to 
fee  her  along  with   the  Father  companion  j  fo  one 

evening 


to   ?  o  p  E  k  r.  ^y 

^vpning:  In  tfie  dark,  putting  on  a  Fry ar's  habit,  lie  wtr\t  to 
her  chamber,  where  he  was  al^vays  in  company  with' 
the  companion  Fryar,  who  by  crafty  perfuafions  made 
the  lady  underiland,  that  iF(he  did  not  confent  to  every 
thins  that  the  grandee  fhould  defire,  her  life  and  repo- 
tation  were  loft,  &:c.  In  the  fame  difguife  they  faw 
cne  )nother  feveral  times  to  the  grandee's  fatisfa<S:ion-, 
and  her  hearty  grief  and  vexation. 

But  the  court  being  gone,  the  young  lady  began  to 
fufpe(5l  feme  public  proof  of  her  intrigue,  till  then  fe- 
cret,  and  contultini^;  the  Father  companion  upon  it,  he 
did  what  he  could  to  prevent  it,  but  in  Vain.  The 
misfortune  was  fufpecled,  and  owned  by  her  to  her  pav 
rents.  The  father  died  of  very  grief  in  t^ightdays  time: 
And  the  mother  went  into  the  country  With  her  daugh^ 
ter,  till  fhe  was  free  from  her  difeafe,  and  afterward 
b.nh  ladies,  mother  and  daughter,  retired  int6  a  mona- 
liery,  where  1  knew  and  converted  feveral  times  wirll 
them.  The  o^entleman  had  nlade  his  will  Ion o;  before* 
by  which  the  convent  was  to  get  the  eftate,  iii  cafe  that 
the  lady  fhould  die  without  children  •,  and  ^s  fhe  had 
taken  the  habit  of  a  Nun,  artd  profefied  the  Vo\Vs  of 
religion,  the  prior  was  lb  ambitious,  that  he  afked  the 
cflace,  alledginc:,  that  ?at^  being  a  orofefTed  Ndn,  coulj 
not  have  children  ;  to  which  the  lady  replied,  that  fhe 
Was  obliged  to  obey  her  father's  wili^  by  ^/hich  flie 
was  mi  lire  is  of  theeflate  diirirlg  her  life  ;  addiftg  that 
it  was  better  for  the  Father  pridr  not  to  infift  oh  hi$ 
demand,  for  fhe  was  ruined  in  her  i'^pUtation  by  tha 
wickednefs  of  one  of  his  Fryars,  and  that  fhe,  if  prefV^ 
Would  fhew  her  own  child,  who  was  the  only  heir  of 
her  Father's  eftate.  But  the  pridf^  deaf  to  her  threat* 
ning*:,  did  carry  on  his  pretenfion,  and  hj  ah  agreement 
(not  to  m.ake  the  thing  more  public  thart  it  Was^  for  ve- 
irv  few  knew  the  true  ftory)  the  prior  got  the  eflate,, 
obliging  the  convent  to  give  the  lady  and  her  mother, 
during  their  lives,  400  pifloles  every  year^  the  whol^ 
eftate  being  5000  yearly  rent, 

K  I 


$^  A    MASTER-KET 

I  could  give  feveral  more  inftances  of  this  nature  m 
Gonvinee  that  the  ConfefTors,  Priefts  and  Fryars,  are  the- 
fundamental,  oiiginal  crauf^  of  almoft  all  the  mifdoings^ 
and  mifchiefs  that  happen  in  the  families :  By  the  in- 
ftances  already  given,  every  body  may  cafily  know  the 
fecret  pradices  of  fomeof  the  Romilh  Priefts,  whicb 
are  an  abomination  JUD  the  Lord,  efpccially  in  the  holy 
tribunal  of  confeflion.  So  I  may  conclaie  and  dif^ 
mifs  this  firft  chapter,  faying,  that  the  confeflion  is  the 
mint  of  Fryars  and  Priefts,  the  fins  of  the  penitents  the 
»i€lals^  the  abfolucion  the  coin  of  money,  and  the  Con- 
itftbrs  the  keepers  of  it. 

Now,  the  reader  may  drav/  from  thefe  accounts  a3 
many  inferences  as  he  pleafes,  til!,  God  willing,  I  fur- 
r.ifh  him  with  new  arguments,  and  inftances,  of  their  evil 
pradices  in  the  fecond  part  of  this  work* 

PART.       IL 

T^jis  is  a  true  copy  of  the  Pope's  Bull  out  ^/Spanifh,  in 
the  travjlaiion  of  which  into  Englifti  I  am  tied  up  to 
the  letter^  almojl  word  for  word^  and  this  is  to  prevent 
(as  to  this  point)  all  calumny  and  obje^ion^  which  may 
he  made  againji  it^  by  Jome  critic  among  the  Romaic 
Catholics. 

MDCCXVIir. 

U  LL  of  the  holy  cruzade,  granted  by  the  holinels 
of  our  m-)ft  holy  Father  Clement  the  Xlth.  to  th« 
kingdoms  of  Spain^  and  the  iftes  to  thtm  pertaining,  in 
favour  to  all  them,  that  ftiould  help  and  ferve  the  King 
Dn.  Philip  V.  our  lord,  in  the  war  and  expences  of  it, 
which  he  doth  make  againft  the  enemies  of  our  Catho- 
lic faith,  with  great  indulgences  and  pardons,  for  the 
year  one  thoufan's  feven  hundred  and  eighteen. 

The  n.rophet  Joel^  forry  for  the  damages,  which  the 
fons  of  Ifrael  did  endure  by  the  invafion  of  the  ChaU 

dean3 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r. 


99 


■Means  armies  (zealous  for  and  defirous  of  their  defence, 
:af"ter  having  recommended  to  them  the  oblervance  of 
the  law)  calling  the  foldiers  to  the  war,  faith:  That 
he  faw,  for  the  comfort  of  all,  a  miftical  fpring  come 
out  from  God  and  hl^  houfe,  which  did  water  and  wafh 
away  the  fins  of  that  people.     Chap.  j.  v,  j&. 

SEEING  then,  our  moftlioiy  Father  Clement  Xltho 
(who  at  this  dny  doth  rule,  and  govern  the  holy 
-apoft  »lical  fee;  for  the  zeal  of  the  Catholic  King  of 
:the  Spaim^  Dn.  Philip  the  Vth.  for  th€  defence  of  our 
holy  faith,  and  that  for  that  purpofe  gathereth  togeth- 
iCr,  and  maintaineth  his  armies  againft  all  the  enemies 
of  Chriftianiiy,  to  help  him  in  this  holy  enterprize, 
.doth  grant  him  this  Bull,  by  which  his  holinefs  open- 
eth  the  fprings  of  the  blood  of  Chrill,  and  the  tiTafurc 
sof  his  ineftimabie  merits  ;  and  with  it  encourageth  all 
the  Chriilians  to  the  afiiftance  g^  this  undertaking. 
-For  this  purpofe,  and  that  they  might  enjoy  this  bene- 
^t,  he  orders  to  be  publifhed  the  following  indulge a- 
^les,  graces,  .and  faculties,  or  privileges, 

I.  His  holinefs  doth  grant  to  all  the  true  ChriftiarrS 
of  the  faid  kingdoaiG  and  dominions,  dv^^ellers,  fettkd, 
^nd  inhabitants  in  them,  and  to  all  comers  to  them,  or 
'ihould  be  found  in  them  ;  who  \^m>oved  with  the  zeal 
•of  promoting  the  holy  Catholic  faith)  fnould  go,  per- 
-fonally  and  upon  their  own  expences,  to  the  war  in  the 
army,  and  with  the  forces,  which  his  Majefly  fendeth, 
for  the  time  of  one  year  to  fight  againd  the  Turks,  and 
dr^er  infidels,  or  to  do  any  other  fervice,  as,  to  help  per- 
fonally  in  the  fame  army,  continuing  in  it  the  whole 
year  :  To  all  thefe  his  holinefs  doth  grant  a  fvzit  and 
full  indulgence,  and  pardon  of  all  their  fins  (if  they 
iiave  a  perfedt  contrition,  or,  if  they  confefs  them  by 
mouth,  and  it  they  cannot,  if  they  have  a  hearty  defire 
of  it)  which  hath  been  ufed  to  be  granted  to  them  that 
go  to  the  conqueft  of  the  holy  land,  and  in  the  year  of 
.^Jubike :  And  declares,  that  ail  they,  that  ihould  die 

before 


20Q  'A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

before  the  end  of  the  expedition,  or  in  the  way,  as  theyf 
are  going  to,  the  army  before  the  expedition,  iliould 
likewi^fe  enjoy  and,  obtain  the  (aid  pardon  and  indul- 
ge nee* 

He  granteth  alfo  the  fame  to  them,  who  (though  they 
do  not  go  perfonally;  (houkl  fena  another  upon  their 
own  txpcnccs  in  this  manner,  viz.  If  he  that  lends  ano- 
ther is  a  Cardinal,  Primate,  Patriarch,  Archbifliop^ 
Biljiop,  fon  of  a  King,  Prince,  Duke,  Marquis,  or  Earl, 
thtn  he  mufl  fend  as  many  as  he  can  pofTibly  fend,  till 
ten  ;  and  !f  he  cannot  fend  ten,  he  mufl:  fend  at  leaft 
four  foldiers.  All  ot'er  perlons,  of  whatever  condi- 
tion foever  they  be,  muO:  fend  one  ;  and  if  they  cannon 
fend  one,  in  luch  a  cafe,  two  or  three,  or  four,  may  joiri 
and  contribute,  every  one  according  to  his  abiiitieSj 
8^.d  fend  one  foldier. 

II.  Lem.  The  chapters,  *  all  churches,  monaflerie^ 
of  Fryars,  and  Nuns,  without  excepting 7V/<?W/V^«/  or- 
ders, if  ten,  with  the  confcnt  of  the  chapter  or  commu- 
<ii,ty,  do  join  to  fend  one  loldier,  they  do  enjoy  the  faid 
indulgence-,  and  not  they  only,  but  the  ptifon  too, 
lent  by  them,  if  he  be  poor. 

III.  Ilent.  Therecuiar  priefls,  who,  v/ith  the  confent 
of  their  piocefan  and.  the  Fryars  of  iht-ir  iuperiors, 
Should  preach  the  v,/ord  of  God  in  the  faid  army,  or 
^oujd  perform  any  oiher  ccckliaflical  and  pious  citice 
(which  is  declared  :o  be  lawful  ior  them,  wiihout  in- 
curring irregularity}  are  empowered  to  fcrve  their  bene- 
fices^  by  meet  and^  fit  tenants,  having  not  the  cure  of 
fogls  ;  for  if  they  have,  they  canriOC  witiiout  his  ^- 
iincf^»'s  confent.  And  it  is  declared,  that  the  foldiers, 
employed  in  this  war  are  not  ooiiged  to  fad  the  days, 
appointed  and  commanded  by  the  church,  and  which 
they  fliouid  be  obliged  to  tail  on,  if  they  were  not  in  th^ 

lY.   /i'^?^.  His  holinefe  grants  (not  only  to  the  fol- 
diers, but  to  all  them  too,  vv'ho,  (though  they  fliould 
iiQt.  ^o)  feoiild  cacourage  this  hol^^  "^oik  with  ih^:  cha- 
rity 


ti>    P  0  P  E  R  r.  rot 

my  undermentioned)  all  the  indulgencies,  graces,  and 
privileges  in  this  Bull  contained,  and  this  for  a  whole 
year,  reckoning  from  the  pablifhing  of  it  in  any  place 
whatfoever,  viz.  that  ^yer^  in  time  of  apoilolical,  or  or- 
dinary interdi5Ium^  i.  e.  luipenrion  of  all  ecclefiailical 
and  divine  fcrvice)  they  may  hear  Mafs  either  in  the 
churches  and  monafteries,  or  in  the  private  oratories 
marked  and  vifited  by  the  Dioceian  ;  and  if  they  were 
prieits^  to  lay  IVlals  and  other  divine  offices  ;  or  if  they 
were  not,  to  make  others  to  celebrate  Mafs  before  them, 
their  familiar  friends^  and  relations,  to  receive  the  ho- 
ly facrament  of  the  Lord's  fupper  and  the  other  facra- 
ments,  except  on  Eafter  Sunday ^  provided,  that  they 
have  not  given  cccafion  for  the  faid  interdiufum^  nor 
hindered  the  taking  of  it :  Provided  likcvvile,  that  eve- 
ry time  they  make  ufe  of  fuch  oratory,  they  fhould,  ac- 
cording to  their  devotion^  pray  for  union  and  concord 
among  all  Chriftian  princes,  the  rooting  out  of  herefieSj 
^nd  vi6lory  over  the  infidels. 

V.  Item,  His  holintfs  granteth,  that  in  time  of  inter^ 
■di5fum  their  corpfe  may  be  buried  infacred  ground,  vvitli 
a  moderate  funeral  pomp. 

VI.  Item.  He  grants  to  all,  that  fhould  take  this 
Bull,  that  during  the  year,  by  the  counfel  of  both  fpi- 
ritual  and  corporal  phyficians,  they  may  eat  fltrfh  in 
Lcnt^  and  feveral  other  days  in  which  it  is  prohibited  : 
And  iikewife  thac  tHey  may  freely  eat  eggs  and  things 
with  milk  •,  and  that  all  thefe,  who  Ihuuld  eat  no  fl.fh, 
(keeping  the  form  of  the  ecclefiaftical  faftj  do  fulfil  the 
precept  of  failing  :  And  in  this  privilege  of  eating 
(iggs,  &c.  are  not  compril'ed  the  *  Patriarchs,  Primates, 
Archb  (liops,.  BiQiops,  nor  other  inferior  Prelates,  nor 
any  perfon  whatlbevcr  of  the  regulars,  nor  of  the  fecular 
prielts  (the  days  only  of  Lent)  notwithftanding  from 
the  mentioned  perfons,  we  except  all  thole  that  are  6a 
years  of  age,,  and  all  the  knights  of  the  military  orders^ 
who  freely  may  eat  eggs,  &:c.  and  enjoy  the  laid  privi- 

^  VIL 


it^z  'JTMJSTER'KET 

VII.  Lem,  The  above-named,  that  fhonid  not  go^ 
nor  fend  any  foldier  to  this  holy  war,  out  of  their  owa 
fubftance  (if  they  fiiould  help  to  it,  keeping  a  fail  for 
devotion's  fake,  in  fome  days,  which  are  of  no  precept, 
and  praying  and  imploring  the  help  of  God,  for  the 
viiflory  againft  the  infidels^  and  his  grace,  for  the  union 
aniong  the  Chriftian  princes)  as  many  times  as  they 
iliould  do  it,  during  the  year,  fo  many  times  it  is  granted 
them,  and  gracioufly  forgiven  fifteen  years,  and  fifteen 
quarantains  of  pardon,  and  all  the  penances  impofed 
on  them,  and  in  whatever  manner  due  ;  alfo  that  they 
fee  partakers  of  all  the  prayers,  alms  and  pilorinnages 
idi  Jerufalem^  and  of  all  the  good  works  which  Ihould 
be  done  in  the  univerfal  militant  church,  and  in,  each 
of  its  members. 

VIII.  Iter/ic  To  all  thofe,  who  in  the  days  of  Lent 
and  other  days  of  the  year,  in  which  *  Ellations  are  at 
JRome,  ihould  vifit  five  churches,  or  five  altars,  and  if 
there  is  not  five  churches  or  five  altars,  five  times  lliould 
vifit  one  church,  or  one  altar,  praying  for  the  vidory, 
and  union  above-mentioned,  his  holinefs  granteth  that 
they  fliould  enjoy  and  obtain  the  indulgences  and  par- 
dons,  which  all  thole  do  enjoy  and  obtain,  that  perfon- 
ally  vifit  the  churches  of  the  city  oi  RomCy  and  without 
$he  walls  of  it,  as  well  as  if  they  -did  vifit  perfonaily  the 
faid  churches. 

IX.  Item,  To  the  intent,  that  the  fame  perfons  with 
inore  purity,  and  cleannefs  of  their  confciences,  might 
pray,  his  holinefs  grants,  that  they  might  chufe  for 
their  ConfefTor  any  fecular  or  regular  priefl;  licenfed  by 
theDiocefan,  to  whom  power  is  granted,  to  abfoive  them 
of  all  fins  and  cenfures  whatioever  (though  they  be 
referved  to  the  apoilolical  fee,  and  fpecified  in  the  Bull 
of  the  Lord's  fupper,  except  of  the  crime  of  herefy) 
and  that  they  fiiould  enjoy  free  and  full  indulgence  and 
pardon  of  them  all.  But  of  the  fins  not  referved  to 
;he  apoftolicaJ  fee,  they  may  be  abfolved  tcties  quotieSy 
L  c.  ac  many  times  as  they  do  confefs  them,  and  per- 


to    P  O  P  E  RT.  103 

form  falutary  penance :  And  if  to  be  abMved,  there 
be  need  of  rcftitution,  they  might  make  it  themfelves^ 
or  by  their  heirs,  \\  they  have  an  impediment  to  make 
it  themfelves.  Likewife  the  laid  Conftffor  fhall  have 
power  to  communicate  or  change  any  vow  whatfoever^ 
though  made  with  an  oath,  (excepting  the  vow  of  cha« 
fticy,  religion,  and  beyond  feas)  but  this  is,  upon  giv- 
ing for  charity  what  they  fhould  think  fit,  for  the  be- 
nefit of  the  holv  Crazada. 

X.  Uem,  That  if,  during  the  faid  year  they  fhould 
happen,  by  fuuden  death  or  by  the  abfence  of  their 
ConfeObr,  to  die  v/ithout  confcfFing  their  fins  -,  if  they 
die  hearty  penitents  •,  and  in  the  time  appointed  by  the 
church,  had  con ieffed  and  have  not  been  negligent  nor 
earelels  in  confidence  oi  this  g^-ace,  it  is  granted^  that 
they  (hould  obtain  the  faid  free  and  full  indulgence  and 
pardon  of  all  their  fins  -,  and  their  corpfe  nriight  be  bu- 
ried in  ecckfiaftical  burying  place  (if  they  did  not  d'lQ 
excommunicated)  notwichllanding  the  interdiSlum. 

IX.  Likewiie  his  holinefs  hath  granted  by  his  parti- 
cular brief,  to  all  the  faithful  Chriilians,  that  take  the 
Bull  twice  a  year,  that  they  might  once  more,  during 
their  lives,  and  once  more  at  the  point  of  death  (bii-fides 
what  is  faid  above)  be  abfolved  of  all  the  fins,  crimes, 
excefies  of  what  nature  foever,  cenfures,  fentences  of 
excommunication,  though  comprifed  in  the  Bull  of  the 
Lord's  fupper,  and  though  the  abfolucion  of  them  be 
referved  to  his  holinefs,  (except  the  crim.e  and  offence 
of  herefy)  and  that  they  might  twice  more  enjoy  all  the 
graces,  indulgencies,  tacukies  and  pardons  granted  ia 
this  Bull. 

XI I.  And  his  holinefs  gives  power  and  authority  to 
us  Don  Francis  Aniho^y  Ramirez  de  la  Pifcina^  A.rch- 
deacon  of  Aharraz,  prebendary  and  canon  of  the  holy 
church  of  Toledo,  primate  of  the  Spain's^  of  his  Majefry's 
council,  apodolic,  general  commiflary  of  the  holy  ^nd^ 
zada^  and  all  other  graces  in  all  the  kingdoms,  and  do- 
minions ox  Spain^   to  lufpend  (during  the   )ear  or  the 

pubiidiing 


104  'J  M  A  Sr  2  R^IC  E  r 

publifiiing  of  this  Bull)  all  the  graces,  indulgences^^ 
and  faculties,  graxited  to  the  laid  kingdoms,  dominions^ 
ifles,  provinces,  to  whatever  churches,  monaderies, 
hofpitals,  brotherhoods,  pious  places,  and  to  particular 
perfons,  though  the  granting  of  them  did  contain  words 
contrary  to  this  fufpenfion. 

XIII.  Likewifc  he  gives  Us  power  to  reinforce  and 
make  good  again  the  fame  graces  and  faculties,  and 
all  others  whatlbever  •,  and  he  i^ives  us  and  our  depu- 
ties power  to  fufpend  xh^  inter di^um'm  whatever  place 
this  Bull  fhould  be  preached  •,  and  iikev/ife  to  fix  and 
determine  the  quantum  of  the  contribution,  the  people 
is  to  give  for  this  Bull,  according  to  the  abilities  and 
quality  of  perfons. 

Xiy.  And  we  the  faid  apoflolic  general  commiiTar);^ 
of  the  holy  cruzada  (in  favour  of  this  holy  Bull,  by  the 
apoitolical  authority  granted  to  us,  and  that  fo  holy  a 
work  do  not  ceafe  nor  be  hindered  by  any  other  induK 
gence)  do  fufpend,  during  the  year,  all  the  graces,  in- 
dulgences and  faculties,  ot  this  or  any  other  k  nd,  grant- 
ed by  his  holinefs,  or  by  other  Popes  his  predectfTors^ 
or  by  the  holy  apoftolical  fee,  or  by  his  authority,  to 
atl  the  kingdoms  of  his  Majeffy,  to  all  churches,  fao- 
nafteries,  hofpitals  and  other  pious  places,  univerfiiies^ 
brotherhoods  and  fecular  perfons ;  though  the  f^id 
graces  and  faculties  be  in  favour  of  the  building  of  Sz, 
Feler's  church  at  Rome^  or  of  any  other  Cruzaday  tho* 
all  and  every  one  of  them  fhouid  conta  n  words  con- 
trary to  this  fufpenfion  :  So  that,  during  the  year,  no 
perfon  fnall  obtain,  or  enjoy  any  other  graces,  indul- 
gences or  faculties  whatfoever,  nor  can  be  publifned, 
except  only  the  privileges  granted  to  the  fuptriorsot 
the  Mendicant  orders,  as  to  their  Fryars. 

XV.  And  in  favour  of  this  Bull,  and  by  the  faid  a- 
poflolical  authority  we  declare,  that  ail  thofe  thai; 
would  take  this  Bull,  might  obtain,  and  enjoy  all  the 
graces,  faculties  and  indulgences,  Juhiiees  and  pardons, 
which  have  been  granted  by  our  moit  holy  Father  Paul 

the 


to    P  O  P  E  R  T\ 


105 


t^.e  Pfth.  and  Urbannus  the  Zth.  and  by  other  Popes  of 
happy  memory,  and  by  the  holy  apoftolical  fee,  or  by 
lis  aui  hority,  mentioned  and  compriled  in  the  faid  fufpcn- 
fion  i  and  which,  by  the  apotlohcal  commiflion,  we  re- 
inforce ^^nd  make  go  ;d  again  ;  and  t)y  the  lame  autho- 
rity do  luipend  the  inter di^um  for  eight  days  before 
and  after  the  publifhing  this  Bull,  in  any  place  whatfo- 
ever  (as  ic  is  contained  in  his  Holinefs's  brief:)  And 
we  command  that  every  body,  that  would  take  this 
Bull,  be  obliged  to  keep  .by  him  the  fame  which  is 
here  printed,  figned  and  fealed  with  cur  name  and  feal, 
and  that  otherwife  they  cannot  obtain,  nor  enjoy  the 
benefit  of  the  faiJ  Bull. 

XVI.  And,  where.ts  you  (Peter  de  Zuloaga)  have  gi- 
ven two  reaks  de  plata,  which  i^  the  charity  fixed  by 
lis,  and  have  taken  this  Bull,  and  your  name  is  written 
in  it,  we  do  declare,  that  you  have  already  obtained, 
and  are  granted  the  faid  indulgences,  and  that  you  may 
enjoy,  and  make  qie  of  them  in  the  above-mentioned 
form.^  Given  at  Madrid,  the  i^th  day  oi March ^  One 
thoufand,  {twtn  hundred  and  eighteen, 

Form  of  ahfolution^  which  hy  virtue  of  this  Bull  may  he 
given  to  all  thofe  that  take  the  Bull  once  in  their  Lives 
tirne^  and  once  upon  the  point  of  death, 

2^1  S  E  R  E  JTU R  tui  Omnlpotens  Deus,  i^c. 
^"f  the  authority  of  God  and  his  holy  apoftles 
St.  Peter  and  .St.  Paul,  and  of  our  moft  holy  Father 
{N.)  to  you  efpecially  granted  and  to  me  committed,  I 
ablolve  you  from  all  cenlureofthe  ^^reater,  or  lef- 
fer  excommunication,  fufpenfion,  interdi^um,  and  from 
all  other  cenfures  and  pain^,  or  puniHiments,  which 
they  have  incurred  and  deferved,  though  the  ablolu- 
tion  of  them  be  refervcd  to  the  apoilolical  fee,* (as  by 
the  fame  is  granted  to  you.)  And  I  bring  you  agaia 
into  the  union  and  communion  of  the  faithful  Chrif- 


ioS  A    MASrER'KET 

tians :  And  z\(o  T  abfolve  you  from  all  the  fin?;,  crimef 
and  exceires,  which  you  have  now  here  confcfTed,  and 
and  from  thofe,  which  you  would  confefs,  if  you  did  re- 
member them,  though  they  be  fo  exceeding  great,  that 
the  abfolution  of  them  be  referved  to  the  apollolical 
fee  •,  and  1  do  g^-antyou  free  and  full  indulgence  and 
pardon  of  all  your  fins  nov;  and  whenever  confefTed, 
forgotten  and  out  of  your  mind,  and  of  all  the  pains 
and  punifhments^  which  you  were  obliged  to  endure 
for  them  in  Purgatory.  In  i^a^  name  of  the  Father, 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  holy  Ghoft.     Amen, 

B  R  I E  F^  cr  fum  of  the  eftations  and  indulgences 
fff  Rome,  which  his  Holinefs  grants  to  all  thofe  that  would 
take  and  fulfil  the  contents  of  this  Bull. 

The  firfl-  day  In  S^.-Sahine,  free  and  full  Indulgence 

Thurfday  in  St.   George  the  fame 

Friday  in  Sr.  John  and  St,  Paul     the  fame 

Saturday  in  St.  Griffon  the  fame 

Firfb  Sunday  in  Lent^    in  St.  John^  St.  Paul      the  fame 
Monday  in  St.  Peter  ad  Vincula      the  fame 

Tuefday  in  St.  Anaftafie  the  fame 

*  i\nd  this  day  every  booy  cakes  a  foul  out  of  Pur- 

catory. 
Wed ne [day  in  St.  Mary 

the  greater  free  and  full  indulgence 

Thurfuay     in  St.  Laurence  Pariifperdu         the  fame 
Friday  in  the  faints  apoflles  the  fame 

Saturday      in  St.  Peter  the  famQ 

Second  Sunday  in  Lmt  in  S^  I'Aary  of 

Navicular  and  St.  Mary  the  greater         the  fame 
Monduy       in  St.  Glt?nsnt  the  fame 

Tuefday       in  St.  Balhtne  the  fame 

"Wednt-fday  in  St.  Gicile  the  fame 

Thurfdciy     in  St.  Mary  tranjiiber  xh^  fame 

Friday  in  Sr.  Vidal  the  fame 

Saturday     in  Sc.  Peter  and  St.  Marcelin   the  fame 

*  And 


u    P  O  P  E  R  r.  ic; 

*  And  this  day  every  body   takes  one  foul  out  of 
PLirgafory. 

Third  Sunday  in  Le^it  in  St,  Laurence 

extra  Muros  free  and  full  indulgence, 

*  And  this  d\i.y  every   body  takes  one  foul  out  of 
Purgatory. 

Monday         in  St.  Mark     free  and  full  indulgence. 
Tuefday         in  Sc.  Potcnciane  the  fame 

WednefJay    in  St.  Sixte  the  fam« 

Thurfday       in  Sc.  Cofme,  and  St.  Dantarf^ 
the  image  of  our  lady  oi  Populi  i^  Puds 
is  fhown  the  fame 

Friday  in  St,  Laurena  in  Lucina        the  fams 

Saturday        in  St.  Stifane  and  Sc.  Mary 

of  the  angels  the  fame 

fourth  Sunday  in  Lent  in  St.  CrcJJi  of 

Jerufalem  the  fame 

*  This  day  every  body  takes  one  foul  out  of  Purga- 
tory. 

Monday  in  the  4  crowned  free  and  full  indulgences-* 

Tuefday  in  St.  Laurence  in  Damafcus  the  fame 

Wednefday  in  St.  Peter  the  fame 
Thurfday  in  Sc,  Silvafire  and  in  Su 

Mary  in  the  mountains  the  fame 

Friday  in  St.  Eufeh  the  fanfc 

Saturday  in  St.  Nicholas  in  prlfon  the  fame 

fifth  Sunday  mJ^ent  in  St,  Peter  •  the  fame 

Monday  in  St.   CriffQ^ne  the  fame 

.  Tuefday  in   St.  ^trce  the  fame 

Wednefday  in  St.  Marcelle  the  fame 

Thurfday     in  St.  AppolUfiarius  the  fame 

Friday  in  St.  Efiephan  the  fame 

*  This  day  every  body  takes  one  foul  out  of  Pur- 
gatory 

Saturday  in  St.  John  ante  Port  am 

Lathmm  free  and  full  indulgence, 

f  And  this  day  every  one  takes  a  foul  out  of  Pur- 
gatory 

Sixth 


Sixth  Sunday  in  Lent  in  St.  John  de 

Leteran                               free  and  full  indulgence; 

Monday         in  Sr.  Praxedis  the  famd 

Tuefday         in  St.  Pn/ke  the  fame 

Wednefday     in  St.  Mary  the  greater  the  fame 

Thurfday        in  Sc.  John  de  Leteran  the  fame 
Friday             in  S:,  Crcfe  of  J erufakm  and 

in  St.  Mary  of  the  angels  the  fame 

Saturday         in  St.  John  de  Leteran  the  fame 

Rafter  Sunday  in  St.  Mary  the  greater  the  fame 

Monday         in  Sr.  Peter  the  fame 

Tuefday         in  Sc.   Paul  the  fame 
Wednefday    in  Sc.  Laurence  extra 

muros  the  fame 

*  This  day  every  body  takes  a  foul  out  of  Purga- 
tory. 

Thurfday       in  the  faints  apoftles 

free  and  full  indulgence, 

friday         in  Sc.  Mary  Pvotunda  the  fame 

Saturday      in  Sc.  John  de  Leteran  the  fame 

Sunday  after  Eafter  in  St.  Pancracy  the  fame 

ESrATIOHS  after  EASTER, 
In  the  greater  Litanies :  St.  Mark's  day  •,  in 

.  Sc.  Pet^r  the  fame 

Afcenfion-day     in  Sr.  Peter  the  f-ime 

Whitiunday       in  St.  John  de  Leteran        the  fame 
Monday  in  Sr.  Peter  the  fame 

Tueiday  in  St.  Anaftafie  the  fame 

Wednefday         in  St.  M.ary  the  greater      the  fame 
Thurfday  in  St.  Lanrence  extra 

muros  the  fame 

*  Tills  day  every  body  takes  a  foul  out  of  Purga- 
tory 

Friday         in  iht  faints  apoftles 

fretr  and  fkill  induls-ence, 
Saturday    in  St.  Peter  '     the  fame 

EST  A- 


io    POPART. 


109 


ESrjriONS    in     ABVET^T, 

Firft  Sunday  in  St.  Mary  the  greater  the  fame 
And  in  the  iame  church  all  the  holy 

days  of  our  lady  the  fame 
Second  Sunday  in  Sc.  Crcjfe  oijerti- 

falem  the  fame 

The  lame  day  St.  Mary  of  the  angels  the  fame 

Third  Sunday  in  St.  Peter  the  fame 
Wednefday  of  the  four  rogationSy  in  St. 

Mary  the  greater  the  fame 

Friday       in  the  faints  apcftles  the  fame 

Saturday    in  St.  Peter  the  fame 

Fourth  Sunday  in  xhc  faints  apoftles  the  fame 

CHRISTMAS^NIGHT. 

At  the  firft  M  ifs  in  St.  Mary  the  greater, 

in  the  Manger*^  chapel  the  fame 

At  the  fecond  Mais  in  Sc.  Anaftafie  the  fame 

C  H  R  T  S  "T  M  A  S-D  A  T, 

At  the  third  Mafs  in  St.  Mary  the  greater      the  fame 

Monday     in  St.  Mary  Rotunda  the  fame 

Tuefday    in  St.  Mary  ih^    greater  the  fame 

The  innocent's  day,  in  St.  Paid  z\\t  fame 

The  circumcifion  of  Chritl  in  Sc.  Mary 

'iVunfliber  the  fame 

The  Epiphany  in  St.  Peter  the  fame 

Dominica  in  Septuag.  in  St.  Laurence 

extra  muros  the  fame 

*  This  day  every  body   takes  a  foul  out  of  Purga- 
tory 
Dominica  in  Sexag.  in  St.  Paul 

free   and  full  indu]2:ence. 
Dommica  m  Quinquag.   in  St.  Peter  the  fame 

And  becaufe  every  day  of  the  year,  there  is  eflations  at 
Rome^  with  great  indulgences,  therefore  it  is  granted 
to  all  thofe  that  take  this  Bull,  the  fame  indulgences 

and 


>io  A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

and  pardons  every  day  which  are  granted  in  E,Qm8^ 

Don  Francis  Anthony    Ramirez^   dQ 
la  Pijcina. 

EXPLANATION    of    this 

BULL, 

AND    REMARKS    UPON    IT. 

BULL    cf    CRUZ  ABE, 

A  POPE'S  brief,  granting  the  fign  of  the  crofs  to 
thofe  that  take  it.  All  that  a  foreigner  can  learn 
in  the  di<5lonarie.s,  as  to  this  word,  is  the  above  account, 
therefore  I  ought  to  tell  you  ihatareforeigners,  that  the 
word  criizada  was  a  grant  of  the  crofs,  i.  e.  that  when 
the  King  of  Spain  makes  war  againfl:  the  Turks  and  In- 
JideJs,  his  coat  of  arms,  and  the  motto  of  his  colours  is 
the  crofs,  by  which  all  the  foldiers  underftand  that 
fuch  a  war  is  an  holy  v;ar,  and  that  the  army  of  the 
King,  having  in  its  ftandard  the  fign  of  the  crofs,  hath 
a  great  advantage  over  the  enemy,  for,  as  they  do  be- 
lieve, if  they  die  in  fuch  a  war,  their  fouls  go  ftrait  ta 
heaven  \  and  to  confirm  them  in  this  opinion  the  Pope 
grants  them  in  this  Bull^  figned  with  the  fign  of  the 
crofs,  fo  many  indulgences  as  you  have  read  in  it. 

Again  cruz^  or  crofs,  is  the  only  diflinguifhing  cha- 
ra6ler  of  thofe  that  follow  the  colours  oi  Jcfus  thrifts 
from  whence  cnizade  is  derived^  that  is  to  lay,  a  brief  of 
the  indulgencies  and  privileges  of  the  crofs  granted  to 
all  thofe  that  ferve  in  the  war  for  the  defence  of  the 
Chriftian  faith  againfl  all  its  enemies  v/hatfcever. 

This  Bull  is  granted  by  the  Pope  every  year  to  the 
King  of  Spain,  and  all  his  fubjeds,  by  which  the  King 
incrcafes  his  treafure,  and  the  Pope  takes  no  fmall  fliare 

of 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  xrf 

of  ic.  The  excclTive  fums  of  money,  which  thd 
^«//  brings  in  to  the  King  and  Pope,  every  body  may 
eafily  know  by  the  account  I  am  going  to  give  of  it. 

It  is  an  inviolable  cuftom  in  Spaitt  every  year  after 
Cbriflmas,  to  have  this  Bull  publifhed  in  every  city,  towm 
and  borough,  which  is  always  done  in  the  following 
manner. 

The  general  commilTary  of  the  holy  cruzade  moft 
commonly  refides  at  Madrid^  from  whence  he  fends  to 
his  deputies  in  every  kingdom  or  province  the  printed 
Bulls  they  want  in  their  refpedlive  jurifdidlions.  This 
Bull  being  publiflied  at  Madrid  by  the  general  com- 
mifiary  or  his  deputy,  which  is  always  done  by  a  fa- 
mous preacher,  afrer  the  gofpel  is  fung  in  the  high  Mafs, 
and  in  a  fermon  which  he  preacheth  upon  this  fubjedt  i 
After  this  is  done  at  Madrid  (I  fay)  all  the  deputies  ot 
the  holy  cruzada  fend  from  the  capital  city,  v/here  they 
refide,  Fryars  with  a  petit  commiffary  to  every  town 
and  village,  to  preach  and  publifh  the  Bull.  Every 
preacher  hath  his  own  circuit  and  a  certain  number  of 
towns  and  villages  to  publifh  it  in,  and  making  ufe  of 
the  privileges  mentioned  in  the  Eull^  he  in  his  fermon  per- 
fuades  the  people,  that  no  body  can  be  faved  that  year 
without  ir,  which  they  do  and  fay  every  year  again. 

The  petit  commifTary,  for  his  trouble,  hach  half  a 
real  of  eight,  i.  e.  Two  and  four  pence  a  day  •,  and  the 
preacher,  according  to  the  extent  of  the  circuit,  hath 
twenty  or  thirty  crowns  for  the  whole  journey,  and  both 
are  Vv-eil  entertained  in  every  place. 

Every  foul  from  feven  years  ot  age  and  upwards  is 
obliged  to  take  a  Btdl^  and  pay  two  reals  of  plate,  i.  e, 
thirteen  pence  three  farthings  of  this  moneys  and  one 
part  out  of  three  of  the  living  perfons  take  two  or  three, 
according:  to  their  families,  and  abilities.  The  regular 
pritfts  are  obliged  to  take  three  tim.es  every  year  the 
Bull.t  for  which  they  pay  two  reals  of  plate  :  In  the  be- 
ginning of  Lent  anotlier,  which  they  call,  Bull  of  Lacrl- 
mios^  I  e.  Bull  to  eat  egg.^^  and  things  of  niilk,  with- 
out: 


in  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

out  which  they  cannot.  And  another  in  the  holy  w§elt; 
For  the  Bull  of  Laofichiios  they  pay  four  and  nine  pence, 
and  th'?  fame  f)r  the  Bull  of  the  holy  week  ;  the  Fry- 
ars  and  Nuns  do  the  fame.  Now  if  you  confider  the 
number  of  Ecciefiallics,  and  Nuns,  and  all  the  living 
fouls  from  feven  years  of  age  and  upwards,  you  may 
eafily  know  what  vaft  (urns  o^  money  the  King  gets 
in  his  dominions  by  this  yearly  brief,  of  which  the  third 
part  or  better  goes  to  Ro'me  one  way  or  other. 

Add  to  this  the  Bull  of  the  dead.  This  is  another 
fort  of  Bull^  fur  the  Pope  grants  in  it  pardon  of  fins,  and 
falvation  to  them  who  before  they  die,  or  after  their 
death,  their  relations  for  them  take  this  Bull  JDefun^o- 
rum.  The  cuftom  of  taking  this  Bull  is  become  a  law, 
and  a  very  rigorous  law  in  their  church,  for  no  body 
can  be  buried,  either  in  the  church,  or  in  the  church- 
yard without  having  this  Bull  upon  their  breads,  v^hich 
(as  they  fay)  is  a  token  and  fignal  that  they  vrere  Chrif- 
tians  in  their  lives,  and  after  their  death  they  are  in  the 
way  of  falvation. 

So  many  poor  people,  either  beggers.,  or  flrangers, 
or  thofe  that  die  in  the  hofpitals  could  not  be  buried 
without  the  help  ©t  the  well  difpoled  people,  who  be- 
ftow  their  charities,  for  the  ufc  of  taking  Bulls  cf  the 
dead,  that  the  poor  deltitute  people  might  have  the  bene- 
fit of  a  confecrated  burying  place.  The  fu  m  for  this  Bull 
is  two  reals  of  plate,  and  whatever  money  is  gathered 
together  in  the  whole  year  goes  to  the  Fopc,  or  (as 
they  fay)  to  the  treafure  of  the  church.  Now  1  leave 
to  every  body's  confideration,  how  many  perfons  die 
a  year,  in  fo  vaft  dominions,  as  thofe  of  the  King  of 
of  Spain^  by  which,  in  this  point,  the  Pope's  benefit, 
or  the  treafure  of  the  church,  m.ay  be  nearly  known. 

O  ftupid,  blind,  ignorant  people  !  Of  what  ufe  or 
benefit  is  this  BuU  after  death  ?  Hear  what  Sn.  John 
tells  you,  Happy  are  they  that  die  in  the  Lord,  It  is  cer^ 
tain  that  all  thofe  that  die  in  the  grace  of  the  Lord, 
heartily  penitentj  and  forry  for  their  fins,  go  immedi-i 

atdy 


to     P  O  P  E  R  r.  Hi 

^tely  to  enjoy  tberavifhingpleaiures  of  eternal  life  j  and 
thoie  that  die  in  fin,  go  to  lufFcr  for  ever  in  the  dark 
place  of  tormeat.      And  this    happens  to  our  fouls  in 
ttie  very  inltant  of  their  fepaiation   from  their  bodies. 
Le-t  every  body  make  ufe  of  their  natural  reafon,  and 
lead  impartially  the  fcripture,  and  he  will  find  it  to  be 
fo,  or  elfe  he  will  believe  it  to  be  fo.     Then  it  it  is  fo, 
they  ought  to  conlider,  that  when  they  take  this  Bull 
(which    is  commonly    a  little   before   ihey   carry    the 
corpfe  into  the  church)  the  judgment  of  God,  as  to  the 
foul,  is  over  (for  in  a  twinkling  of  an  eye  he  may  lay 
the  charges  and  pafs  the  fentence)  at  that  time  the  foul 
is  either  in  heaven,  or  In  hell.     What  then  doth  the 
Bull  fignify  to  them  ?  But  of  this  I  (liall  fpesk  in  ano- 
ther place.     And   now  I   come  to  the  explanation  of 
the  Biill^  and  remarks  upon  it. 

This  Bull  I  am  fpeaking  of  was  granted  five  years 
ago  to  the  faithful  people  of  S^ain^  by  the  late  Pope, 
and  which  a  gentleman  of  the  army  took  accidentally 
from  a  mailer  of  a  ihip  out  of  BiJJ'cay,  whofe  name  is 
PeUr  de  Zoloaga^  as  it  is  figned  by  himfeif  in  the 
fame  Bull,  and  may  be  feen  at  the  publifner's.  I  have 
faid  already  that  a  Bull  is  every  year  granted  to  the 
King  of  ^ain^  by  the  Pope  in  being,  who  either  for 
th^fake  of  money,  or  tbr  fear,  doth  not  fcruple  at  all 
to  grant  quite  c  n  rary  BjUs,  to  two  Kings  at  the  fame 
tinie  reigning  in  Spain:  Nov/  I  craVe  leave  to  vindi- 
cate my  prelent  faying. 

Wnen  this  prefcnc  King  of  Spain  Philip  the  Vth. 
went  there  and  was  crowned,  both  the  arms  fpiritual 
and  temporal,  reprefentatives  of  the  whole  nation  (as 
in  thefe  kingdoms,  the  houfe  of  lords  and  commons) 
gave  him  the  oath  of  fidelity,  acknowledging  him  for 
their  lawful  fovereign  :  And  when  this  was  done.  Pope 
Clement  the  Xlth  did  confirm  it,  nay  his  Hulmefs  gave 
him  the  inveftiture  of  Naples^  which  is  the  fealing  up 
all  the  titles  and  rights  belonging  to  a  lawful  King,  and 
after  this  he  granted  him  the  Bull  of  Cruzadcy  by 


114  ^A    MAS'TER-KET 

which  he  acknowledged  him  King,  and  gave  hhii  help' 
to  defend  himielf  and  his  dominions  againflall  the  ene- 
mies of  chriftianity,  and  all  enemies  whatfoever.  Every- 
body knows  that  this  Pope  was  for  the  intereils  of  the 
houfe  of  Bourbon^  rather  than  that  of  Auflria  \  and 
fo  no  wonder,  if  he  did  not  lofe  any  time  in  lettling  the 
crown  and  all  the  right  upon  Fhil'ip  of  Bourbon^  rather 
than  upon  Charles  the  Illd,  the  prefent  emperor  of 
Germayiy, 

This  lad,  thinking  that  the  right  to  the  crown   of 
^fain  belonged  to  him,  of  which  I  will  not  talk,  begun- 
the  war  againft.  Philips   fupported  by  the  Hereticks 
(as  the  Spaniards  call  the  Englijh)  and  being  proclaimed- 
at  Madrid^  and  at  Zaragofa^  he  applied  to  the  Pope  to 
be  confirmed  King,  and  to  get  both  the  inveftiture  of 
Naples  and  the  Bull  of  the  holy  Cruzade,     As  to  the 
inveftiture  of  Naples  I  leave  it  to  the  hiilory  written 
upon  the  late  war.    But  as  to  the  Bull,  the  Pope  granted  it 
to  him,  giving  him  all  the  titles  he  gave  to  Philip.  At- 
the  fame  time  there   were  two  Kings,  and  two  Bulls, 
and  one  Pope,  and  one  people.     Tne  divines  met  to- 
gether to  examine  this  point,  viz.     Whether  the  fame 
people,  having  given  their  oath  of  fidelity   to  Philips 
and  taken  the  Bull  granted    to  him,  were  obliged  to 
acknowledge  Charles  as  a  King,  and  take  the  Bull  grant- 
ed to  him. 

The  divines  for  Philip  were  of  opinion  that  the  Pope 
could  not  annul  the  oath,  nor  difpenfe  with  the  oath 
taken  by  the  whole  nation,  and  that  the  people  were 
obliged  in  confcience  not  to  take  any  other  Bull,  than 
that  granted  to  Philip  \  and  their  reafon  was  that  the 
Pope  was  forced  by  the  Imperial  army  to  do  it  *,  and 
that  his  Holinefs  did  it  out  of  fear,  and  to  prevent  the 
ruin  of  the  church,  which  then  was  threatned. 

The  divines  for  Charles  did  alledge  the  Pope's  infal- 
libility, and  that  every  Chriftian  is  obliged  in  confcience 
to  follow  thelall  declaration  of  the  Pope,  and  blindly 
to  obey  it,  without  inquiring  into  the  realbns  that  did 

move 


to     F  O  P  E  R  n 


115 


move  the  Pope  to  it.  And  the  fame  difpute  was  about 
the  preft-ntation  of  bifliops,  for  there  was  at  the  fame 
time  a  billioprick  vacant,  and  Charles  having  prefented 
one,  and  Philip  another,  the  Pope  confirmed  them  both, 
and  both  of  them  were  confecrated.  From  this  it  ap- 
pears that  the  Pope  makes  no  fcruple  at  all  in  granting 
two  Bulls  to  two  Kincis  at  the  fame  time,  and  to  em- 
broil  with  them  the  whole  nation-,  which  he  did  not 
out  of  fear,  nor  to  prevent  the  ruin  of  the  church,  but 
:OUt  of  felf  interelt,  and  to  fecure  his  revenue  both  ways,, 
and  on  both  fides, 

But,  reader,  be  not  furprifed  at  this  y  for  this  Pope, 
I  am  fpeaking  of,  was  fo  ambitious,  and  of  fo  haughtf 
a  temper,  that  he  did  not  care  what  means  he  made  ufe 
of  cither  to  pleafe  his  temper,  or  to  quench  the  thirfi: 
of  his  ambition.  I  fay,  he  was  of  fo  haughty  a  temperj, 
that  he  never  fuffered  his  decrees  to  be  contradicted  or 
difputed,  though  they  were  againfl  both  human  and 
divine  laws ;  to  clear  this,  I  will  give  an  account  of  an 
inftance  in  a  cafe  which  happened  in  hii  pontificate. 

I  was  in  Lijbon  ten  years  ago,  and  a  Spanijh  gentle- 
man (whofe  Surname  was  Gonzalez)  came  to  lodge  in 
the  fame  houfe  where  I  was  for  a  while  before  ;  and 
as  we,  after  fupper,  were  talking  of  the  Pope's  fupre- 
macy  and  power,  he  told  me  that  he  himfelf  was  a  liv- 
ing witnefs  of  the  Pope's  authority  on  earth  :  And  aflc- 
ing  him,  how  ?  He  gave  me  the  following  account. 

I  was  born  in  Granads  (faid  he)  of  honed  and  rich, 
though  not  noble  parents,  who  gave  me  the  bed  edu- 
cation they  could  in  that  city.  I  was  not  twenty  years 
of  age,  when  my  father  and  mother  died,  both  v/ithia 
the  fpace  of  fix  months.  They  left  me  all  they  had  iri 
the  world,  recommending  to  me  in  their  teftament  to 
take  care  of  my  filter  Borothea  and  to  provide  for  hen 
She  was  the  only  fifter  I  had,  and  at  that  time  in  the 
eighteenth  year  of  her  age.  From  our  youth  we  had 
tenderly  loved  one  another  ;  and  upon  her  account, 
fitting  my  ftudies,  I  gave  mylelf  up  to  her  company, 

•    This 


2i6  'AMASTER'KET 

Thlt  tender  brotherly  love  pror^uccd  in  my  heart  at  lafl* 
another  fort  of  love  for  her  •,  and  though  I  never 
fhewed  her  my  pafnon,  I  was  a  fufFerer  by  it.  1  was 
ailiamed  within  myfelf,  to  fee  that  I  could  not  mafier, 
nor  overcom.e  this  irregular  inclination  •,  and  perceiving 
that  the  peifiiling  in  it  would  prove  the  ruin  of  my 
foul,  and  of  my  fifter's  too,  I  firmly  refolved  to  quit 
the  country  for  a  while,  to  fee  whether  I  could  difTipate 
this  pafTion,  and  banilli  out  of  my  heart  this  burning 
and  confuming  fire  of  love  ;  and  after  having  fettled 
my  affairs,  and  put  my  filler  under  the  care  of  an 
aunt,  I  took  my  leave  of  her,  who  being  furprifed  at 
this  unexpected  news,  fhe  upon  her  knees  begged  me 
to  tell  the  reafon  that  had  moved  me  to  quit  the  coun- 
try ',  and  telling  her,  that  I  had  no  reaibn  but  only  a 
mind  and  defire  to  travel  two  or  three  years,  and  that  I 
begged  of  her  not  to  many  any  perfon  in  the  worlds 
*tilimy  return  home,  I  left  her,  and  went  to  Rc7ne.  By 
letters  of  recommendation,  by  money,  and  my  careful 
comportment,  I  got  myfelf  in  a  little  time  into  the  fa- 
vour and  houfe  of  Cardinal  A.  L  Two  years  I  fpent  in 
in  his  fervicc  at  my  own  expence,  and  his  kindnefs  to 
me  was  k>  exceeding  great,  that  I  was  not  only  his  com- 
panion, but  his  favourite  and  confident.  All  this  while, 
I  was  fo  raving  and  in  fo  deep  a  melancholy,  that  his 
eminence  preffed  upon  me  to  tell  him  the  reafon.  I 
told  him  that  my  diftcmper  had  no  remedy  :  But  he 
flill  infifted  the  more  to  know  my  didemper.  At  laft 
I  told  him  the  love  I  had  tor  my  fifter,  and  that  it  being 
impoflible  fhe  fhould  be  my  wife,  my  difiemper  had  no 
remedy.  To  this  he  faid  nothing,  but  the  day  follow- 
ing went  to  the  facrcd  palace  and  meeting  in  the  Pope's 
ancichamber  Cardinal  P.  L  he  did  an<:  him  whether 
the  Pope  could  difpenfe  with  the  natural  and  divine 
impediment  between  brother  and  fifier  to  be  married, 
and  as  Cardinal  P.  I.  faid,  that  the  Pope  could  not  :— 
My  protestor  began  a  loud  and  bitterdifpute  with  him, 
^Hedging  rcafons  by  which  the  Pope  could  do  it.   The 

Pope^ 


to        P  0  P  E  R  r.  117 

Pope,  bearing  the  noife,  came  out  of  his  chamber,  and 
afking  what  was  the  matter  ?  He  was  told  it,  and  fly- 
v>g  into  an  uncommon  paffion,  faid,  the  Pope  may  do 
tvery  thing,  I  dodifpenfe  with  it;  and  left  them  with 
thi  ie  words.  The  protector  took  teflimony  of  the 
Pope's  declaration,  and  went  to  the  datary,  and  drew 
a  public  inftrument  of  the  difpenfation,  and  cominnr 
home  pave  it  to  me,  and  faid,  though  I  fhall  be  de- 
prived of  your  good  fervices  and  company,  I  s,m  very 
glad  that  1  lerve  you  in  this  to  your  heart's  dcfire,  and 
fatisfadion.  Take  this  difpenfation,  and  go  whenever 
you  pieafe  to  marry  your  fiTter.  I  left  Rome,  and  came 
home,  and  after  1  refted  from  the  fatigue  of  fo  long  a 
journey,  I  went  to  prefcnt  the  difpenfation  to  the  bifh^p 
and  to  get  his  licenfc  :  But  he  told  me,  that  he  could 
not  receive  the  difpenfation,  nor  give  fuch  a  licenfe : 
I  acquainted  my  protestor  v^itii  this,  and  immediately 
an  excommunication  was  difpatched  againfh  thebifliop 
for  having  difobeyed  ihe  Pope,  and  commandincr  him 
to  pay  a  thoufand  piftoles  for  the  treafure  of  the  church 
and  to  marry  me  himfelf;  fo  I  was  married  by  the 
bifhop  and  at  this  prefcnt  time  I  have  Rvc  children  by 
rny  v/ife  and  filler. 

From  thefe  accounts,  Chriftian  reader,  you  may 
judge  of  that  Pope's  temper  and  ambition,  and  vou 
may  likewife  think  of  the  refl  as  you  may  fee  it  in  the 
following  difcourfe. 

The  title,  head  or  dirc6lion  of  this  Bull  is.  To  all  the 
faithful  ChriRians,  in  the  kingdoms  and  dominions  of 
Spain^  who  fnould  help,  or  ferve  in  th^  war,  which  ihQ 
King  makes  againft  Turks,  Infidels^  and  all  the  enemies 
of  the  holy  Catholic  faith  ;  or  to  thofe  that  fhould 
coniribure,  and  pray  for  the  union  among  theChriftiari 
princes,  and  tor  the  vi(!lury  over  the  enemies  of  Chr^- 
tiartity. 

Thft  Roman  Catholics  with  the  Pope  fay  and  ffrmlr 
believe  (I  fpeak  for  the  generality)  that  no  man  can  be 
'feved  out  of  their  communion  \  and  fb  they  reckon 

enemies 


jiS  ^A  M  A  S  "t  E  R-K  E  r 

enemies  of  their  faith  all  thofe  that  are  of  a  difr  "nt 
•opinion  :  And  we  may  be  furethat  the  Proteftanis,  or 
Hereticks  (as  they  call  them)  are  their  irreconcileable 
enemies. 

They  pray  publicly  for  the  extirpating  of  Hereticks, 
*Turks  and  hfidels  in  the  Mafs ;  and  they  do  really  be- 
lieve, they  are  bound  in  confcience  to  make  ufe  of  all 
forts  of  means,  let  them  be  never  fo  bafc,  inhuman  and 
barbarous,  for  the  murthering  of  them.  This  is  the 
c3o6lrine  of  the  church  of  Rom^^  which  the  Priefts  and 
Confdfors  do  take  care  to  low  in  the  hearts  of  the  Ro- 
man Catholics^  and  by  their  advice,  the  hatred,  malice 
and  averlion  is  raifed  to  a  great  height  againft  the  He- 
reticks, as  you  Ihall  know  by  the  following  inftan-. 
cts. 

Firfb,  in  the  lad  war  between  Charles  the  3d.  and  Phi- 
hp  the  5th.  the  Proteitants  confederate  with  Charles 
did  fuffer  very  mtch  by  the  country  people.  Thofe 
encouraged  by  the  Priefls  and  ConfeiTors  of  PlvUp's 
part,  thinking  that  if  any  Chriftian  could  kill  an  He- 
retick  he  fhould  do  God  fervice,  did  murther  in  private 
many  ioldiers  both  Englijh  and  Dutch.  1  faw,  and  I 
do  fpeak  now  before  God  and  the  world,  in  a  town 
called  Ficentes  de  Ebro.,  feveral  arms  and  legs  out  of  the 
ground  in  the  field,  and  inquiring  the  reafon,  why  thofe 
corp>fes  were  buried  in  the  field  (a  thing  indeed  not  u- 
fual  there)  1  was  anfvvered,  that  thofe  were  the  corpfes 
of  fome  EngliJJo  Hereticks,  murthered  by  the  patrons, 
or  land-lords,  who  had  killed  them  to  fhew  their  zeal 
for  their  religion,  and  an  old  maxim  among  them  :  Be 
Jos  Enemigos  los  menos  :  Let  us  have  as  few  enemies  as 
we  can.  Fourteen  Eriglijh  private  men  were  kliled  the 
night  before  in  their  beds,  and  buried  in  the  field,  and 
1  myfelfdid  reckon  all  of  them  •,  and  I  fuppofe  many 
others  we»'e  murthered,  whom  1  did  not  lee,  though  I 
heard  of  it. 

.    The  murtherers  make  no  fcruple  of  it,  but  out   of 
bravery,  and  zeal  for  their  religion,  tell  it  to  the  Father 

Confeilbr^ 


io    P  O  P  E  R  T,  lifp 

Gonfeflbr,  not  as  a  fin,  but  as  a  famous  a6lion  done  hj 
them  in  favour  of  their  faith.  So  great  is  the  hatred 
and  averfion  the  Catholics  have  againft  the  Protcftants 
and  all  enemies  of  their  religion.  We  could  confinr.; 
the  truth  of  this  propofition'with  the  cruelty  of  the  late 
Kino-  of  France,  againft  the  poor  Hugomtes^  whom  we 
call  now  Refugees,  This  is  well  known  toevery  body^ 
therefore  I  leave  Lewis  and  his  counfellors,  where  the/ 
arc  in  the  other  world,  where  it  is  to  be  feared,  they  en » 
dure  more  torments  than  the  banifhed  Refugees  m  this 
prelent  one.  So  to  conclude  what  I  have  to  fay  upon 
the  head  or  title  of  this  Bull,  1  may  pofitively  aftirn^ 
that  the  Pope's  delign  in  granting  it,  is,  firft,  out  of 
intereft  •,  fecondly,  to  encourage  the  common  people  ta 
■  make  war,  and  to  root  up  all  the  people  that  are  not 
of  his  communion,  or  to  increafe  this  way,  if  he  can^ 
his  revenues,  or  the  treafure  of  the  church. 

I  come  now  to  the  beginning  of  the  Bull,  where  the 
Pope  or  his  fubdelegate,  deputy,  or  general  commil-> 
fary,  doth  ground  the  granting  of  it  in  that  paiTage  of 
the  prophet  >^/ chap.  3d.  v.  18.  cxprelTed  in  thePsfi^ 
words  :'  That  he  f aw  for  the  comfort  of  all,  a  my  ft  teal 
fountain  come  out  from  God  in  his  houfe  (or  as  it  is  in 
Spaniflj  in  the  original  Bull)  from  God  and  from  the 
Lord's  houfe,  which  did  zvater  and  waf}j  the  fins  of  that 

people. 

The  reflections  which  may  be  made  upon  this  text, 
I  leave  to  our  divines,  whofe  learning  I  do  equally  co- 
vet and  refped  :  I  only  fay,  that  in  the  Latin  bible  I 
have  found  the  text  thus  :  Et  fons  e  domo  Jehovce  pro-* 
dibit,  qui  irreguhit  vallem  cedrorum  Le5fijfimarum.  And 
in  our  Englifh  tranflation  :  And  a  fountain  fJoall  come 
forth  of  the  houfe  of  the  Lord,  and  fh all  water  the  valley 
of  Shittam.  Now  I  leave  the  learned  man  to  make  his 
reflexions,  and  I  proceed  to  the  application. 

Seeing  then,  cur  moft  holy  Father  (fo  goes  on)  Cle- 
ment the  y^Xth,  for  the  zeal  of  the  Catholic  King,  for 
the  defence  of  our  holy  faith>  to  help  him  in  this  holy 

enterprize, 


120  ^A    MASTER' KE^ 

enterprizc,  doth  grant  him  this  Bull,  by  v/hlch  his  Ho- 
linefs  openeth  the  Iprings  of  the  blood  of  Chrifl,  and 
the  treafure  of  his  ineflimable  merits  ;  and  with  it  en- 
couraseth  all  the  Chriftians  to  the  afTiftance  oi  this  un- 
dertaking. 

I  faid  before  that  the  Pope  grants  every  year  fuch  a 
Bull  as  this  for  t*he  fame  purpofc  :  So  every  year  he 
openeth  the  fprings  of  Chrift's  blood.  O  heaven  ! 
v/hatis  nfianthat  thou  fhouidft  magnify  him  ?  Or  ra- 
ther, what  is  this  man  that  he  fhould  magnify  himfelf, 
taking  upon  him  the  title  of  mojl  holy  Father^  and  that 
of  his  Holinefs  ?  A  man  (really  a  man)  for  it  is  certain, 
that  this  man,  and  m.any  others  of  his  predeceflbrs,  had 

had  feveral  b s.     This  man  (I  fay)  to  take  upon 

himfelf  the  pov^er  of  opening  the  fprings  of  Chrift,  and 
this  every  year.  Who  will  not  be  furprifed  at  his  affur- 
ance,  and  at  his  highefl  provocation  of  the  Lord  and 
his  Chrift  ? 

For  my  part,  I  really  believe,  that  he.  openeth  the 
fprings  of  the  blood  of  Chrift,  and  openeth  afrefti  thofe 
wounds  of  our  redeemer,  not  only  every  year,  but  eve- 
ry day  without  ceafmg  :  This  I  do  believe,  but  not  as 
they  believe  it  •,  and  if  their  dc6trine  be  true  among 
themfelves,  by  courfe  they  muft  agree  with  me  in  this 
faying,  that  the  Pope  doth  crucify  afrefh  our  Saviour 
Chrift  without  ceafing. 

In  the  treatife  of  vices  and  fins,  the  Rornijh  divines 
propofe  a  queftion  :  Utrum^  or  whether  a  man  that 
takes  upon  himftlf  one  of  God*s  attributes,  be  a  blaf- 
phemous  man,  and  whether  fuch  a  man  by  his  fins  can 
kill  God  and  Chrift,  or  not  .^  As  to  ^\  e  li:  ft  part  ot  ti^e 
queftion,  they  all  do  agree,  that  Rich  a  man  is  a  blaf- 
phemous  man.  As  to  the  fecond  part  •,  fome  are  of 
opinion  that  fuch  an  expreftion,  of  killing  Gcd^  has  no 
room  in  the  queftion  :  But  the  greater  part  of  Icholaf- 
tical  and  moral  authors  do  admit  the  expreftion,  and  fay 
fuch  a  man  cannot  kill  God  effectively,  but  th.t  he  doth 
it  affcdively  j  that  is  to  fay,  thac  wiliingly  taking  up- 

o;| 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  ill 

himfelf  an  attribute  of  God,  and  ading  againft  his 
laws,  he  doth  affront  and  offend  in  the  higheft  degree 
that  fupreme  Law  giver  ^  and  by  taking  upon  himfelf 
the  ofHce  of  a  high  prieft,  the  power  of  forgiving  fins, 
which  only  belong  to  our  Saviour  Jefjs,  he  afFedively 
offends,  and  openeth  afrefh  his  wounds  and  the  iprings 
of  his  blood:  And  if  it  was  poffiblc  for  us  to  fee  hinri 
face  to  face,  whom  no  man  living  hathfeen  yet ;  as  we 
fee  him  through  a  glafs  now,  we  fllould  find  his  high 
indignation  againft  fuch  a  man:  But  he  muft  appear 
before  the  dread'' ul  tribunal  of  our  God,  and  be  judged 
by  him  according  to  his  deeds  :  He  fhall  have  the  lame 
judgment  With  the  antichrifl,  lor  though  we  cannot 
prove  by  the  fcripture,  that  he  is  the  antichrifl,  not- 
withftanding  we  may  defy  antichrifb  himfeif,  v/hoever 
he  be,  and  whenever  he  comes,  to  do  worfe  and  wicked- 
er things  than  the  Pope  doth.  O,  what  a  fearful  thing 
is  it  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  a  livinoj  God  !  Now  I 
come  to  the  articles  of  the  BwW^  and  fird  of  all. 

I.  His  Hoiinefs  grants  a  tree  and  full  indulgence 
and  pardon  of  all  their  fins  to  thofe  who,  upon  their  own 
expences,  go  to  or  ferve  perfonally  in  the  war  againfl 
the  enemies  of  the  Roynan  QaltxoYxc  faith:  But  this 
muft  be  underflood,  if  they  continue  in  the  army  the 
whole  year  :  So  the  next  year^  they  are  obliged  to  take 
this  Bull,  and  to  continue  in  the  fame  fervice,  if  they 
will  obtain  the  fame  indulgence  and  pardon,  and  fo  on 
all  their  life  time,  for  if  they  quit  the  fervice,  they  can- 
not enjoy  this  benefit,  therefore  for  the  fake  of  this 
imaginary  pardon,  they  do  continue  in  it  till  they  die, 
fi^r  otherwife  there  is  no  pardon  of  fins. 

Let  us  obferve  another  thing  in  this  article.  The 
fame  indulgence  and  pardon  is  granted  to  thofe  tiiac 
die  in  the  army,  or  going  to  the  army  before  the  expedi- 
tion, or  before  the  end  of  the  year :  But  this  muft  be 
underftood  alio,  if  they  do  die  with  perfed:  eontritioa 
of  their  fins;  or  if  they  do  confefs  them  by  mouth,  or 
if  they  canaotj  if  they  have  a  hearty  defire  to  confefs 

N  them 


12^  A    M  A  S  T  E  R^K  E  r 

them.  As  to  the  firfl  condition,  if  they  die  zvitb  per" 
je5l  cmtrition^  no  Ro-man  or  Protedant  divine  will  deny 
that  God  will  forgive  fuch  a  man's  fins,  and  receive 
him  into  his  everjafting  favour  -,  fo  to  fuch  a  man,  a 
free  and  full  indulgence  and  pardon  is  of  no  ufe  ;  for 
without  it,  he  is  fure  to  obtain  God's  mercy  and  for- 
givenefs. 

As  to  the  fecond  condition,  or  if  they  do  csnfefs  them 
l^y  mcuih\  or  have  a  hearty  dejire  to  do  it  :  If  a  man 
want  a  hearty  repentance,  or  is  not  heartily  penitent 
and  contrite,  what  can  this  condition  of  confeffing  by 
mouth,  or  having  a  hearty  defire  for  it,  profit  fuch  a 
man's  foul  P  \i  being  certain,  that  a  man,  by  his  open 
confefTion,  may  deceive  the  ConfeiTor  and  his  own 
foul,  but  he  cannot  deceive  God  Almighty,  who  is 
the  only  fearcher  of  our  hearts :  And  if  the  Catholics 
will  fay  to  this,  that  open  conftiHon  is  a  fign  of  repen- 
tance, we  may  anfwer  them,  that  among  the  Prote^iants 
it  is  fo,  for  being  not  obliged  to  do  it,  nor  by  the  laws 
of  God,  nor  by  thofe  of  the  church,  when  they  do  it, 
it  is,in  all  human  probability,  afurefign  of  repent«ince: 
But  among  the  Roman- Catholics^  this  is  no  argument 
of  repentance,  for  very  often  their  lips  are  near  the 
Lord,  but  their  hearts  very  far  ofK 

How  can  we  fuppofe  that  an  habitual  finner  that, 
to  fulfil  the  precept  of  their  church,  confefTes  once  a 
year ;  and  after  it,  the  very  fame  day,  falls  again  into  the 
fame  courle  of  life  •,  how  can  we  prefume,  I  fay,  that 
the  open  confefiion  of  fuch  a  man  is  a  fign  of  repent- 
ance ?  And  if  the  Roman- Catholics  reply  to  this,  that 
the  cafe  of  this  firft  article  is  quite  different,  being  only 
for  thofe  that  die  in  the  war  with  true  contrition  and 
repentance,  or  open  confefTion,  or  hearty  defire  of  it  : 
I  fay  that  in  this  cafe,  it  is  the  fame  as  in  others.  For 
Vv'henever  and  wherever  a  man  dies  truly  penitent  and 
heartily  forry  for  his  fm,  fuch  a  man,  without  this 
Bull  and  its  indulgences  and  pardons,  is'  forgiven  by 
God,  who  hath  promifed  his  holy  fpirit  to  all  thofe  that 

aik 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T.  123 

a!k  it ;  and  on  the  other  fide,  if  a  man  die^  vvithout 
repentance,  though  he  contVlTcLh  his  fins,  he  cannot 
obtain  pardon  and  forgiveneis  from  God,  and  in  fiich 
a  rate  the  Pope's  indulgences  and  pardons  cannot  free 
that  man  from  the  puniihment  his  impenitent  heart 
hath  defcrvcd.  , 

Gofer ve  likcwife,  that  to  all  thofe  warriors  againft 
the  eneirjirsof  the  Romp  faith,  the  Pope  grants  the 
fame  indulgences  which  he  grants  to  thoie,  that  go 
to  the  corqueft  ot  the  holy  land,  in  the  year  of  Juhike. 
The  R.man  Catholics  ought  to  confider  that  the  greatell 
favour,  we  can  expcd  f n  m  God  Alml^htj,  is  only  the 
pardon  ot  our  fins,  for  his  grace  and  evetlafbing  giorf 
do  follow  after  it.  Then  if  the  Pope  grants  them  free, 
full  and  general  pardon  of  their  fins  in  this  Bull,  what 
need  have  they  of  the  pardons  and  indulgences,  grant- 
ed to  thole  that  go  to  the  ccnqueft  of  the  holy  land,  and 
in  the  year  of  Jubilee  ? 

But,  becaufe  few  are  acquainted  with  the  nature  of 
fuch  indulgences  and  graces  granted  in  the  year  of  Ju- 
bilee, I  mufi  crave  leave  from  the  learned  people,  to 
fay  what  i  know  in  this  matter.  I  will  n.pt  trouble  the 
puolic  with  the  catalogue  of  the  Pope*s  Bulls,  but  I 
cannot  pafs  by  one  article  contained  in  one  of  thefe 
Bulls,  which  may  be  found  in  fome  libraries  of  curious 
gentlemen  and  learned  divines  of  our  church,  and  efpe- 
cially  in  the  1:  arl  oi  Sunder  lav  d's>  library,  which  is  di- 
re dcd  to  the  Roman-Catholics  of  England  in  thefe 
words  :  Fili  mei  date  mebi  cor  do  vefira,  et  hoc  juficit 
vobis  :  My  children  give  me  your  hearts,  and  this  is 
fufficient.  So  by  this,  they  may  fwear  and  curfe,  (leal 
and  murther,  and  commit  mod  heinous  crimes,  if  they 
keep  their  hearts  for  the  Pope  ;  that  is  enough  to  be 
faved.  Obferve  this  dodrine,  and  I  leave  it  to  yoUc, 
reader,  v^^hcther  fuch  an  opinion  is  according  to  God's 
will,  nay,  to  natural  reaion,  oi*  not  ? 

The  article  ot  the  Bull  for  the  year  of  Juhike  doth 
•contain  thcfe  words  :  If  any  Cbrijiian  mid^rofelfor  of 

€ur 


J24  ^    M  A^  ^  E  R-  K  E  T 

our  Catholic  faith^  ^^^^i  ^^  t^^  ^^b  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^''^^  ^^ 
gainfi  the  Turks,  and  Infidels,  or  in  the  year  of  Jubilee 
to  our  city  of  Rome,  Jhould  happen  to  die  in  the  way^  we 
declare  that  his  foul  goes  fir aightw ay  to  heaven. 

The  preachers  of  the  holy  Cruzade^  in  their  circuits, 
are  careful  in  fpecifying  in  their  fermons,  all  thefe  gra- 
ces and  indulgences,  to  encourage  the  people,  either  to 
go  to  the  war,  or  to  take  more  Bulls  than  one.  With 
this  croud  of  litanies  and  pardoins,  the  Pope  blinds  the 
common  people,  and  increafes  his  treafure. 

In  this  fame  firft  article  of  our  prelent  Bull,  it  is  faid, 
that  the  fame  graces  and  indulgences  are  grai^ted  to 
all  thofe,  who,  though  they  do  not  go  perfonally,  fhould 
fend  another  upon  their  own  expences ;  and  that  if  he 
be  a  Cardinal,  Primate,  Patriarch,  Archbifhop,  Biihop, 
fon  of  a  King,  Prince,  Duke,  Marquis,  or  Earl,  he, 
iP.uR  fend  ten,  or  at  lead  four  foldiers,  and  the  reft  of 
the  people  one,  or  one  between  ten. 

Obferve  novv',  that  according  to  the  rules  of  their 
morality,  no  man  can  merit  by  an  involuntary  adion  ^ 
becaufe,  as  they  fay,  he  is  compelled  and  forced  to  it. 
How  can,  then,  this  noble  people  merit,  or  obtain  fuch 
graces  and  indulgences,  when  they  do  not  a6t  volunta- 
rily :  For  if  we  mind  the  Pope's  expre0ion,  he  com- 
pells  and  forceth  them  to  fend  ten  foldiers,  or  at  leaft; 
four  :  They  have  no  liberty  to  the  contrary,  and  confe- 
quently  they  cannot  merit  by  it.  I  wilh  to  God,  they 
would  make  ufe  of  another  rule  of  their  morality  and 
of  curs  too  :  Vim  vi  repellere  licet, 

The  "fecond  article  of  this  Bull. 

The  Pope  comprifeth  in  this  command  of  fending 
one  loldier,  chapters,  pariih  churches,  convents  of  Fry- 
ars,  &  monailenes  of  Nuns,  without  excepting  the  Men- 
dicant orders  :  But  the  Pope  in  this  doth  favour  the 
ecc]er!aRical  perfons  more  than  the  laity,  for  as  to  the 
iaity,  he  fays,  that  three  or  four  may  join  together  and 

fend 


to    P  0  P  E  R  2\  125 

fend  one  foldier  :  And  as  to  the  ecclefiaftical  perfons, 
he  enlargeth  this  to  ten  peribns,  that  if  between  them, 
^en  do  Tend  one  foldier,  they  all,  and  the  perfon  fent  by 
them,   obtain  the  laid  graces.     I  do  believe  there  is  a 
great  injuftice  done  to  the  laity  :   For  thefe  have  fami- 
lies to  maintain,    and  the  ecclefiaftics   have  not,  and 
the  greateft  part  of  the  riches  are  in  their  hands.     This 
I  can  aver,  that  I  read  m  the  chromclQS  of  th^  Fran cifi a :'t 
order,  written  by  Fr,  Anthony  Perez,  of  the  fame  order, 
where,  extolling  &praifing  the  providence  of  God  upon 
the  Francifcan   Fryars,  he  fays,  that  the  general  of  St. 
Francis^  order  doth  rule  and  govern  continually  600,000 
Fryars  in  Chriflendom,  who  having  nothing  to  live  up- 
on, God  takes  care  of  them,  and  all  are  v;eli  clothed, 
and  maintained.     There  are   in  the  Rom  an- Catholic 
religion  70  different  orders,  governed  by   70  regular 
generals,  Vv'ho,  after  fix  years  of  command,  are  made 
either  Biftiops  or  Cardinals.     I  fay  this  by  the  by,  to 
let  the  public  know  the  great  number  of  Priefts    and 
Fryars,   idle  and  needlefs  people  in  that  religion  ;  for 
if  in  one  order  only  there  is  600,000  Fayars,  how  ma- 
ny fliall  be  found  in  70  diffc:rent  orders  \  I  am  fure  if 
the  Pope  would  command  the  50th  part  of  them  to 
go  to  this  holy  war,  the  laity  would   be  relieved,  the 
King  would  have  a  gfeat  deal   more  powerful   army, 
and  his   dominions  would  not  be  {o  much  embroiled 
with  divifions,  nor  fo  full  of  vice  and  debauchery,  as 
they  are  now. 

^he  third  article. 

It  is  lawful  for  the  Priefts  and  Fryars  to  go  to  this 
war  to  preach  the  word  of  God  in  it,  or  ferve,  or  help 
in  it,  without  incurring  irregularity.  They  do  preach, 
and  encourage  the  foldiers  to  kill  the  enemies  of- their 
religion,  and  to  make  ufe  of  whatever  m-^ans  they  can 
for  it,  for  in  io  doing  there  is  no  fin,  but  a  great  fervice 
done  to  God. 

Out 


iiL6  A    MASTER' KET 

Out  of  this  war,  if  a  Pricfr  llrikes  another  and  there 
js  mutilation,  or  if  he  encourage  anothtr  to  levengc  or 
murther,  he  incurs  irreoularity,  and  he  cannot  pertorm 
any  ecclefiafliical,  or  divine  ftivice,  tili  he  is  aoioJved 
by  tf'C  Pope,  or  his  deputy  :  But  in  the  war  again[l 
the  enemies  of  their  religion,  nay,  cue  ot  the  war, 
they  do  advile  them  to  murther  them,  as  F  have  iai  i 
before,  and  this  without  incurring  irregularity.  O 
blindnefs  of  heart  !  He  endeth  this  article,  by  excufin  ' 
th^  foldiers  from  fading  when  thtrv  are  in  the  army, 
but  not  when  they  are  cut  of  it;  a  ftrange  thin^;,  thac 
a  man  fhould  command  more  than  God.  Our  Savi- 
our Jefus  Chriil  commands  us  to  fall  from  fin,  not 
from  meat,  bui  ofthis  m  another  article. 

The  fcitrth  article. 

In  this  article  the  Pope  comprifeth  all  the  pec  pie, 
and  puts  them  upon  double  charges  and  expences,  for 
befides  the  contribution  for  a  fuldier,  every  body  muil 
take  the  Bull  if  he  will  obtain  the  fjid  graces,  and  muit 
give  two  reals  of  plate,  i.  e.  thirteen  pence  half- penny. 
This  is  a  bitter  and  hard  thing  for  the  people  :  But 
fee  how  the  Pope  fweetens  it.  I  grant,  befides  the  faid 
graces,  to  all  thofe  thac  (liould  take  this  Bull  and  give 
the  charity  undermentioned,  that  even  in  the  time  of 
fufpenfion  of  divine  and  ecclcfiaflical  fervice,  they  raajr 
hear  and  fay  Mafs,  and  other  devotions,  &c.  Charity 
muiL  be  voluntary  to  be  acceptable  to  God  :  How  thea 
can  he  call  it  charity,  when  the  people  muft  pay  for  the 
Bull,  or  fome  of  their  goods  (hall  be  fold  ?  And  not 
only  this,  but  that  their  corpfe  can't  be  buried  in  facred 
ground  without  it,  as  is  expreffed  in  the  fifth  article. 

The fi'jcth  article. 

The  Pope  doth  excufe  all  that  take  this  Bull  not 
only  from  fading,  but  he  gives  them  licenfe  to  eatfieih 

ia 


to    TOPER  r.  127 

in  Lent  by  the  confent  of  both  phy-ficians,  fpirUnal  and 
temporal.  This  is,  if  a  man  is  fick,  he  mud  confuk 
the  phylician,  whether  he  may  eat  ^^^^  or  not;  and  if 
the  phyfician  gives  his  confent,  hernuft  afk  his  Father 
Contefibr's  confent  too,  to  eat  flelh  in  Lent  and  other 
days  of  ecclefiaftical  prohibition.  Only  a  ftupid  maa 
will  not  find  out  the  trick  of  this  granting,  for  in  the 
firft  place,  necejfitas  caret  lege  \  neceflicy  knows  no  law  : 
If  a  man  is  fick  he  is  excufed  by  the  law  of  God, 
nay,  by  the  law  of  nature  from  hurtful  things^ 
nay,  he  is  obliged  in  confcience  to  preferve  his 
health  by  uiing  all  forts  of  lawful  means.  This 
is  a  maxim  received  among  the  Romans^  as  well 
as  among  us.  What  oceafion  i?  there  then  of  the  Pope's 
and  both  phyficians  licenfe  to  do  fuch  a  thing?  Or  if 
there  is  fo  great  power  in  the  Bull,  why  doth  not  the 
Pope  grant  them  licenfe  abfolutely,  without  aiking 
confent  of  both  phyficians?  VYe  may  conclude  that 
fuch  people  mud  be  blindly  fuperftitious  or  deeply  ig- 
norant. 

But  this  great  privilege  mufl  be  underitood  only  for 
the  laicy,  not  for  the  fecular,  nor  regular  Prietb,  except 
the  Cardinals  who  are  not  mentioned  here,  the  Knights 
of  the  military  order,  and  thofe  that  are  60  years  of  age 
and  above.  But  the  Priefls,  and  Fryars  (notwithfland- 
ing  this  cxprefs  prohibition)  if  ihey  have  a  mind,  da 
evade  it  on  pretence  of  many  light  diilempers,  of  the 
afliduity  of  their  iludies,  or  exercife  of  preaching  the 
Lent's  fermons ;  and  by  thefe  and  other,  as  they  think, 
weighty  reafons,  they  get  a  Hcenfe  to  eat  flefh  in  Lent, 
So  we  fee,  that  they  will  preacfc  to  the  people  obedience 
to  all  the  commandments  of;%e  Pope,  and  they  do 
difobey  them  ;  they  preach  ^tii^tibecaufe  they  have  pri- 
vate ends  and  intereils  in  fo '■doing;  but  they  do  not 
obferve  them  themfelves,  becaafe  they  are  againil  their 
inclinations,  and  without  any  profit,  and  fo  advifmg 
tlie  people  to  mind  them,  they  do  not  mind  them  them- 
fclves. 

'The 


t28  'A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  T 

^he  feventh  and  eighth  articles. 

To  the  fame,  the  Pope  grants  fifteen  years,  and  fif- 
teen quarantains  of  pardon,  and  all  the  penances  not 
yet  performed  by  them,  &c.  Oblerve  the  ignorance 
of  that  peopjp^ :  The  Pope  grants  them  fifteen  years 
and  fifteon  "quarantains  of  pardon  by  this  Bull,  and 
they  are  To  infatuated,  that  they  take  it  every  year  ; 
indeed  they  cannot  defire  more  than  the  free  and  ge- 
neral pardon  of  fins  *,  and  if  they  do  obtain  it  by  one 
Bull,  for  15  years  and  15  quarantains,  what  need  or 
occafion  have  they  for  a  yearly  Bull  :  Perhaps  fome 
are  fo  llupid  as  to  think  to  heap  up  pardons  during 
this  life  for  the  next  world,  or  to  leave  them  to  their  chil- 
dren and  relations  :  But  obferve  likewife,  that  to  ob- 
tain this,  they  muft  fail  for  devotion's,  fake  fome  days 
not  prohibited  by  the  church.  They  do  really  believe, 
that  keeping  themfelves  within  the  rules  of  ecclefiafti- 
cal  failing  they  merit  a  great  deal :  But  God  knows, 
for,  as  they  fay,  the  merit  is  grounded  in  the  mortifi- 
cation of  the  body,  and  by  this  rule,  I  will  convince 
them,  that  they  cannot  merit  at  all. 

For  let  us  know  how  they  do  fail }  And  what,  and 
how  they  do  eat  ?  Now  I  will  give  a  true  account  of 
their  failing  in  general  •,  the  rules  which  muil  be  ob- 
ferved  in  a  right  fafting  are  thefe.  In  the  morning  it 
is  allowed  by  all  the  cafuiftical  authors,  to  drink  what- 
ever a  body  hath  a  mind  for,  and  eat  an  ounce  of  bread, 
which  they  C2i\\  parva  materia^  a  fmall  matter.  And 
as  for  the  drink,  they  do  follow  the  Pope's  declaration 
concerning  chocolate:  Give  me  leave  to  acquaint  you 
with  the  cafe.  ' 

/  When  the  chocolate  begun  to  be  introduced,  the 
Jefuits  opinion  was,  that  being  a  great  nourifhment, 
it  could  not  be  drunk  without  breaking  i'aft :  But  the 
lovers  of  it  propofing  the  cafe  to  the  Pope,  he  ordered 
to  be  brought  to  him  all  the  ingredients  of  which  the 
chocolate  is  made,  which  being  accordingly  done,  the 

Pope 


fi    TOPER  r.  1^5 

Pope  drank  a  cup,  and  decided  the  difpu'te,  faying^ 
foius  non  frangitjejunium  :  Liquid  doth  not  break  taft- 
inc^  which  declaration  is  a  maxim  put  into  all  their 
moral  f urns :  And  by  it  every  body  may  lawiully  drink 
as  many  cups  as  he  pleafes,  and  eat  an  ounce  of  bread, 
as  a  faiall  matter  in  the  morning  :  And  by  the  fame 
rule  any  body  may  drink  a  bottle  of  wine  or  two,  with- 
out breaking  his  failing  ^  for  liquid  doth  not  break 
fafting. 

At  noon  they  may  fat  as  much  as  they  can  of  ali 
forts  of  things,  except  fiefh  :  And  at  night,  it  is  allow- 
ed not  to  fup,  but  to  take  fomething  by  way  of  colla- 
tion :  In  this  point  of  collation,  the  Gafuifts  do  noc 
agree  together  •,  for  fome  fay  that  nobody  can  lawful- 
ly eat  but  eight  ounces  of  dry  and  cold  things,  as  breads 
walnuts,  raifins,  cold,fry'd  fifhes,  and  the  like  :  Other 
authors  fay,  that  the  quantity  of  this  collation  mutt  be 
meafured  with  the  conititution  of  the  perfon  who  fails  i 
For  if  the  perfon  is  of  a  ftrong  conllitution,  tall,  and  of 
a  good  appetite,  eight  ounces  are  not  enough,  and 
twelve  mull  be  allowed  to  fuch  a  man,  and  io  of  the 
reft.  This  is  the  form  of  their  fafting  in  general  : 
Though  fome  few  religious  and  devout  perfons  do  eac 
but  one  meal  a  day  :  Nay,  fome  ufed  to  faft  24  hours 
without  eating  any  thing  j  but  this  is  once  in  a  year, 
which  they  call  a  faft  with  the  hells,  that  is,  in  the  hoi/ 
week  ;  among  other  ceremonies,  the  Roman-catholics 
do  put  the  confecrated  hoft  or  wafer  in  a  rich  urna  or 
box,  on  Thurfday^  at  twelve  of  the  clock  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  and  they  take  it  out  on  Friday  at  the  fame  time  : 
Thefe  24  hours  every  body  is  in  mourning,  nay,  the 
altars  are  vailed,  and  the  monument  where  they  do 
place  the  image  of  J.  C.  upon  the  crofs,  is  all  covered 
with  black :  The  bells  are  not  heard  all  this  while  ; 
and,  as  I  faid,  many  ufe  to  faft  with  the  bells  •,  and  they 
do  make  ufe  of  this  exprefllon  to  fignify  tiiat  they  faft 
24  hours  without  eating  any  thing  at  all. 

From  thefe  we  may  eafily  know  whether  their  bodies 

O  arc 


t^o  A    M  ASt  E  R'K  EY 

are  mortlned  with  falling  or  not  ?  For  how  can  a  man 
of  fenfe  fay,  that  he  mortifies  his  body  with  fading, 
tvhen  he  drinketh  two  or  three  cups  of  chocolate,with  a 
fmall  toaff  in  the  morning,  eats  as  much  as  he  can  at 
dinner,  and  eight  ounces  at  night :  Add  to  this,  that  he 
may  fit  in  company  &  eat  a  cruft  of  bread,  &  drink  as 
many  bottles  of  wine  as  he  will,  this  is  not  accounted 
collation,  becaufe  liquid  doth  not  break  falling.  This  is 
the  form  of  their  falling,  and  the  rules  they  mull  ob- 
ferve  in  it,  and  this  is  reckoned  a  meritorious  work,  and 
therefore  doing  this,  they  obtain  the  faid  indulgences 
and  pardons  of  this  Bull. 

Oblerve  like  wife,  that  the  Roman-catholics  of  Spain 
are  allowed  to  eat,  in-fome  days,  prohibited  by  the 
church,  and  efpecially  *S<^/»ri/<^j^  the  following  things  : 
The  head  and  pluck  of  a  lliecp,  a  cheevelet  of  a 
fowl,  and  the  like  ^  nay,  they  may  boil  a  leg  of  mut- 
ton, and  drink  the  broth  of  it.  This  toleration  of  eat-' 
ing  fuch  thixigs  was  granted  by  the  Pope  to  King  Ferdi^ 
nand,  who  being  in  a  warm  war  againft  the  MoorSy 
the  foldiers  did  fuifer  very  much  in  the  days  of  falling 
for  want  of  Blh,  and  other  things  eatable  for  fuch  days  ^r 
and  for  this  reafon  the  Pope  did  grant  him  and  his  ar- 
my licenfe  to  eat  ^^  above-mentioned  things  on  Sa- 
turdays^ and  other  days  of  falling  commanded  by  the 
church  ;  and  this  was  in  the  year  1479.  But  this  tole- 
ration only  to  the  army  was  introduced  among  the 
country  people,  efpecially  in  both  Old  &  New  Caftilla^ 
and  this  cullom  is  become  a  law  among  them.  But 
this  is  not  fo  in  other  provinces  of  Spain^  where  x\\^ 
common  people  have  not  the  liberty  of  eating  fuch 
things  \  among  the  quality,  only  thole  that  have  a  par- 
ticular difpenfation  from  the  Pope  for  them  and  their 
families. 

There  is  an  order  of  Fryars,  called  La  orden  de  la 
nji5foria^  the  order  of  the  vi6lory  •,  whofe  firll  founder 
was  St.  Francis  de  Paula^  and  the  Fryars  are  prohibited- 
by  the  rules,  ftatutes  and  conflitution  of  the  order,  to 

eat 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  131 

cat  flefli ;  nay,  this  prohibition  (lands  in  force  during 
their  lives,  as  it  is  among  the  Carthufmns^  who,  though 
in  great  fickncfs,  cannot  eat  any  thing  of  flcfh  •, , i?tit 
this  muil  be  underftood  within  the  convent's  gate  ;for; 
when  they  go  abroad  they  may  eat  any  thing  without 
tranfgreffing  the  flatute  of  the  order. 

But  the  pleafantnefs  of  their  practices  will  lliew  the 
tricks  of  that  religion.  As  to  the  F/7?^r;^«  Fryars,  I 
knew  in  Zaragoza  one  Father  Conchillos^  profeflbr  of 
divinity  in  his  convent,  learned  in  their  way,  but  a 
pleafant  companion  :  He  was,  by  his  daily  exercife  of 
the  public  ledure,  confined  in  his  convent  every  day 
in  the  afternoon  ;  but  as  foon  as  the  ledlure  was  over, 
his  thought  and  care  was  to  divert  himfelf  with  mufiCj 
gaming,  &:c.  One  evening,  having  given  me  an  invi- 
tation to  his  room,  I  went  accordingly,  and  there  was 
nothing  wanting  of  ail  forts  of  recreation,  mufic,  cards, 
comedy,  and  very  good,  merry  commany  :  We  went 
to  fupper,  which  was  compofed  of  nice,  delicate,  eatable 
things,  both  of  flefh  and  fifh,  and  for  the  defert  the 
beft  fweetmeats.  But  obferving,  at  fupperj  that  my 
eood  Conchillos  did  ufe  to  take  a  leg  of  partrids:e  and 
go  to  the  window,  and  come  again  and  take  a  wing  of 
a  fowl,  and  do  the  fame  ^  I  aflced  him  whether  he  had 
fome  beggar  in  the  ftreet  to  whom  he  threw  the  leg 
and  wing  ?  No,  faid  he  to  me  :  What  then  do  you 
go  with  them  out  of  the  window  ?  What,  faid  he,  I 
cannot  eat  flefh  within  the  walls,  but  the  ilatute  of  my 
order  doth  not  forbid  me  to  eat  it  without  the  walls  ; 
and  fo,  whenever  we  have  a  fancy  for  it,  we  may  eat 
fiefli,  putting  our  heads  out  of  the  window.  Thus  they 
give  a  turn  to  the  law,  but  a  turn  agreeable  to  them : 
And  fo  they  do  in  all  their  failings  and  abflinences 
from  flefii.  ; 

As  to  the  Carthufians^  and  their  abftinence  and  fad- 
ing, I  could  fay  a  great  deal,  but  am  afraid  I  fhould 
fwell  this  treatife  beyond  its  defigned  bignefs^if  I  iliould 
amufe  you  with  aa   account  of  all  thejr  ridiculous 

ways. 


'tgi  'J.IM  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

y^ays.'.  3■h^k  IJcanRiot  pafs  by,  for  it  conduceth  vcrf 
much  to  the  clearing  this  point  of  abftinence  and  faft-^^ 
ing.  This  order's  conftitution  is,  firft,  a  continual  ab- 
ilinence  from  fl  fh  ♦,  and  this  is  obferved  fo  leverely. 
and  ftridly,  that  I  knew  a  Fryar,  who,  being  dange- 
roufly  ill,  the  phyficians  did  order  to  apply,  upon  his 
head,  a  young  pigeon, opened  alive  at  the  breaft,  which. 
being  propofed  by  the  Prior  to  the  whole  community, 
they  were  of  opinion  that  fuch  a  remedy  was  againft 
the  conftitution,  and  therefore  not  fit  to  be  ufed  any 
v/ay  :  That  thofe  poor  Fryars  muft  die  rather  than 
touch  any  fleflily  thing,  though  it  be  for  the  prcferving 
their  health. 

Secondly.  Perpetual  filence  and  conBnement  is  the 
next  precept  of  St.  Brune,  their  founder  :  That  is^ 
That  the  Fryars  cannot  go  abroad  out  of  the  convent, 
or  garden  walls,  only  the  Prior  and  Procurator  may 
go  upon  bufinefs  of  the  community.  The  reft  of  the 
Fryars  lives  are  thus  :  Each  of  them  have  an  apart- 
ment with  a  room,  bed-chamber,  kitchen,  cellar,  do- 
let  to  keep  fruit  in,  a  garden,  with  a  well,  and  a  place 
in  it  tor  firing.  Next  to  the  apartment's  door  there  is 
a  wheel  in  the  wall,  which  ferves  to  put  the  viftuals  in 
at  noon,  and  at  night,  and  the  Fryar  turns  the  wheel, 
and  takes  his  dinner  and  fupper,  and.  in  the  morning 
he  puts  in  the  wheel  the  plates,  by  which  the  fervant, 
that  carries  the  vidluals,  knows  they  are  in  good  health  % 
and  if  he  finds  the  viduals  again,  he  acquaints  the  Fa- 
ther Prior  with  it,  who  ftrait  goes  to  vifit  them.  The 
Prior  hath  a  Mafter-Key  of  all  the  rooms,  for  th« 
Fryars  are  obliged  to  lock  the  door  on  the  infide,  and 
to  keep  the  room  always  ihut^  except  when  they  go  to 
lay  Mafs  in  the  morning,  and  to  fay  the  canonical  hours 
in  the  day  time  ;  then,  if  they  meet  one  another,  they 
can  fay  no  other  words  but  thefe  :  One  fays,  Br  other  y 
we  muft  die,  and  the  other  anfweps,  JVe  know  it.  Only 
on  T'hurfday,  between  three  and  four  in  the  afternoon, 
they  meec  together  for  an  hour's  time,  and  if  it  be  fair 

weather. 


te    F  0  P  E  R  X.  ISS 

weather,  they  go  to  walk  in  the  garden  of  the  convent,^ 
and  if  not,  in  the  common  hall,  where  they  cannot 
talk  of  other  things  but  of  the  lives  ot  fuch  or  fuch  a 
faint  i  and  when  the  hour  is  over,  every  one  goes  into 
Jhis  own  chamber.  So  they  do  obferve  fading  and  fi- 
lence  continually,  but,  except  flefh,  they  do  eat  the 
:3iQft  exquifue  and  delicate  things  in  the  world  ;  for 
commonly  in  one  convent  there  are  but  twenty  Fryars, 
and  there  is  not  one  convent  o^  Carthufians,  which  hath 
not  ^WQ^  fix,  and  m^ny,  twenty  thou  land  piftoles  of 
yearly  rent. 

Such  is  their  fading  from  flrfh   and  converfation  ; 
but  let  us  know  their  faftinp;  from  fins. 

Dr.  Petp'  Bernes,  fecular  Priefl:,  belonging  to  the 
parifh  church  of  the  bleffed  Mary  Magdalene  (as  they 
do  call  her)  being  32  years  of  age,  and  dangeroufly  ill, 
made  avow  to  the  crlorious  Saint,  that  if  hefhould  re- 
cover  from  that  ficknefs.  he  would  retire  into  a  Carthii- 
fian  convent.  He  did  recover,  and  accordingly,  re- 
nouncing his  benefice  and  the  world,  he  took  the 
Qarthufian  habit,  in  the  convent  of  the  Concept ioriy 
three  miles  from  Zarogcza,  For  the  fpace  of  three 
years  he  gave  proofs  ot  virtue  and  fmgular  conformity 
with  the  llatutes  of  the  order.  His  llri6t  life  was  fo 
crouded  with  difciplines  and  mortifications,  that  iht 
prior  gave  out,  in  the  city,  that  he  was  a  faint  oa 
earth.  I  went  to  fee  him,  with  the  Father  Prior's  con- 
jTenty  and  indeed  I  thought  there  was  fomething  extra- 
ordinary  in  his  countenance,  and  in  his  words  ;  and  I 
had  taken  him  myfelf  for  a  man  ready  to  work  mira- 
cles. *  Many  people  went  to  fee  him,  and  among  the 
croud  a  young  woman,  acquainted  with  him  before  he 
took  the  habit,  who,  unknown  to  the  ftrid  Fryars,  got 
into  his  chamber,  and  there  llie  was  kept  by  the  pious 
Father  eighteen  months.  In  that  time  the  Prior  ufed 
to  vific  him  in  his  chamber,  but  the  Senora  was  kept 
in  the  bed-chamber,  till  at  lalV  the  Prior  went  one 
night  to  Gonfuk  him  upon  f9me  bufinefs,  and  hearing 

a 


134  A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

a  child  cry,  did  a{k  him  what  was  the  matter ;  and 
though  my  friend  Bernes  did  endeavour  to  conceal  the 
cafe,  the  Prior  found  it  out,  and  (he,  owning  the  things 
was  turned  out  with  the  child,  and  the  Father  was 
confined  for  ever  •,  and  this  was  his  virtue,  fafting  and 
abftinence  from  flefh,  &:c. 

To  thofe  that  either  do  fad,  in  the  abovefaid  manner^ 
or  keep  fafting  for  devotion's  fake,  his  Holinefs  grants 
(taking  this  Bull  of  Cruzade)  all  the  faid  graces,  par- 
dons and  indulgences  -,  and  really,  if  fuch  graces  were 
of  fome  ufe  or  benefit,  the  people  thus  doing,  do  want 
them  very  much  ;  or  may  be,  the  Pope  knowing  thefc 
practices,  do-th  this  out  of  pity  and  compaflion  for 
their  fouls,  without  thinking  that  this  Bull  is  a  great 
cncouragemeflt  and  incitement  to  fm. 

^be  ninth  artkkc 

This  article  contains,  firft,  that  to  pray  with  more 
purity,  every  body  taking  this  Bull  may  chufe  a  Con- 
felTor  to  his  own  fancy,  who  is  empowered  to  ablblve 
sll  fifjs,  except  the  crime  oiHerefy^  referved  to  the  Pope 
or  apoftolical  fee.  You  mud  know,  what  they  do 
mean  by  the  crime  of  Herefy  :  Salazar  Irribarren  and 
Ccrella,  treating  of  the  referved  fins,  do  fay,  that  the 
crime  of  herefy  is,  viz.  If  I  am  all  alone  in  my  room, 
and  the  door  being  locked  up,  talking  by  myfelf  ;  f 
fay,  1  do  not  believe  in  God,  or  in  the  Pope  of  Rome^ 
this  is  herefy.  They  do  diftinguifh  two  forts  of  here- 
fies  ;  one  interna^  and  another  externa,  that  is  public 
and  fecret.  The  public  herefy,  fuch  as  that  I'  have 
now  told  you  of,  nobody  can  abfolve  but  the  Pope 
himfelf.  The  fecond  being  only  in  thought,  every 
body  can  abfolve,being  licenfed  by  the  Billiop,  by  the 
benefit  of  this  Bull.  So,  whoever  pronounces  the 
Pope  is  not  infallible  :  The  Englijh  or  Proteftants  may 
be  faved  :  The  Virgin  Mary  is  not  to  be  prayed  to  : 
The  Prieil  hath  not  power  to  bring  down  from  hea- 
ven 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  135 

tren  J.  C.  with  five  words  :  Such  an  one  is  a  public 
heretic,  and  he  muil  go  to  Rome^  if  he  defircth  to  crct 
abfolution. 

Secondly,  This  article  contains,  that  by  the  benefit  of 
this  Bull,  every  body  may  be  free  from  reflitution,  du- 
ring his  own  life ;  and  that  he  may  make  it  by  his 
heirs  after  his  death.  O  what  an  unnatural  thing  is 
this  !  What  if  I  take  away  from  my  neighbour  three 
hundred  pounds,  which  is  all  he  hath  in  the  world  to 
mantain  his  family,  mud  I  be  tree  from  this  reftitutiony 
and  leave  it  to  my  heir's  will  to  make  it  after  my 
death  ?  Miifl  I  fee  my  neighbour's  family  fufFer  by  it  y 
and  can  I  be  free  before  God  of  a  thing  that  God,  na- 
ture and  humanity,  require  ot  me  to  do  ?  Indeed  this 
is  a  diabolical  dodlrine.  Add  to  this,  what  I  have  faid 
of  the  Bull  of  corapofition,  that  is,  if  you  take  fo  ma- 
ny Bulls  to  compound  the  matter  with  your  ConfeiTor, 
you  will  be  free  forever  from  miaking  rettitution  :  But 
really  you  Ihall  not  be  free  from  the  eternal  punifh- 
ment. 

Likewife,  by  the  power  of  this  Bull,  any  ConfefTor 
may  commute  any  vow,  except  thofe  of  chaftity,  reli- 
gion and  beyond  feas :  But  this  is  upon  condition  that 
they  ihould  give  fomething  for  the  Cruzade,  O  God, 
what  exprefTion  is  this  !  To  commute  any  vow,  ex- 
cept thofe  of  chaftity,  &c.  So,  if  I  make  a  vow  to  kill 
a  m.an,  if  I  promife  upon  oath  to  rob  my  neighbour^^ 
the  ConfefTor  may  commute  m.e  thefe  vows,  for  fix- 
pence  :  But  if  I  vow  to  keep  chaflity,  I  mufl  go  to 
i^(?;;/f  to  theFopehimfelf  ?  What  exprefTion  is  this! 
I  fay  again,  how  many  millions  have  vowed  chaftity  ? 
l^  I  fay  two  millions,  I  fhall  not  lie  :  And  how  many 
of  thefe  two  millions  do  obferve  it  ?  If  I  fay  500,  I- 
fhall  not  lie :  And  for  all  this,  v/e  fee  no  body  go  ta 
Rome  for  abfolution. 

The  Roman-catholics  will  fay,  that  by  thefe  words^ 
vow  of  chafiH)\  mufl  be  only  underftood  abftaining 
from  marriage  v  but  I  will  kave  it  10  any  man  of  rea- 

fon. 


13^  i/f    MJSTER-KEr 

fon,  whether  the  nature  of  chaRity  comprifeth  only 
that  ?  Or  let  me  afk  the  Roman-catholics,  whether  a 
Pried,  who  hath  made  avow  of  chaftity,  that  is,  never 
to  marry,  if  he  com.mits  the  fins  of  the  fiefh,  will  be  ac- 
counted chafle  or  not  ?  They  will  and  niufl:  fay,  nor„ 
Then,  if  fo  many  thoufands  of  Priefts  do  live  lewdly^ 
breaking  the  vow  of  chaiVity5  why  do  they  not  go  to 
the  Pope  for  abfolution  ?  To  this  they  never  can  an- 
fwer  me,  therefore  the  Pope,  in  this  Bull,  doth  blind 
them,  and  the  Priefts  do  what  they  pleafe,  and  only  the 
common  people  are  impofed  upon,  and  fufrer  by  it; 
God  Almighty,by  his  infinite  power,enlighten  them  all, 
that  fo  the  Priefts  may  be  m.ore  fmcere  and  the  people 
iefs  darkened. 

7'he  tenth  article^ 

The  Pope  grants  the  fame  indulgences  to  thofe  that 
fliould  die  fuddenly,  if  they  die  heartily  forry  for 
their  fins.  Of  this  I  haye  fpoken  already,  and  faid3 
that  if  a  man  dies  truly  penitent  he  hath  no  occafion 
for  the  Pope's  pardon,  for  his  true  penitence  hath  more 
intercft  (if  I  may  thus  exprels  myfclf)  with  God  Al- 
mighty, than  the  Pope  with  all  his  infallibility.  So  I 
proceed  to  the  next,  which  is 

^he   eleventh  article. 

In  this  article  the  Pope  grants  befides  the  faid  in- 
dulgences, to  thofe  that  take  this  Bull,  that  they  m.ay 
twice  more  in  the  fame  year,  be  abfolved  of  all  their 
fins,  of  what  nature  foever,  once  more  during  their 
lives,  and  once  more  at  the  point  of  death.  This  is  a( 
bold  faying,  and  full  of  alfurance.  O  poor,  blind  peo- 
ple !  Where  have  you  your  eyes  or  underftanding  ? 
Mind,  I  pray  you,  for  the  light  of  your  confciences, 
this  impudent  way  of  deceiving  you,  and  go  along  with 
me.     The  Pope  has  granted  you,  in  the  aforefaid  arti-. 

cles. 


To    P  0  P  E  R  r.  \ii 

Clfs,  all  you  can  wifh  for,  and  now  again,  he  grants  you 
a  nonfenfical  privilege,  viz.  that  you  may  twice  at  the 
point  of  death,  be  abfolved  of  all  your  fins.  Obferve, 
pafilng  by  that  a  fimplePrieft,  who  hath  not  been  ii- 
<:€nfed  by  the  ordinary  to  hear  confeflions,  upon  ur- 
gent necefTity,  i.  e.  upon  the  point  of  death,  is  allowed 
by  all  the  Cafuiflical  authors,  nay,  by  the  councils,  to 
abfolve  all  fins  whatfoever,  if  there  be  not  prefent  ano- 
ther licenfed  prieft.  Again,  nobody  can  get  fuch  ab- 
folution,  as  is  exprefied  in  this  Bull,  but  at  the  point 
of  his  foul's  departing  from  the  body,  L  e.  when  there 
is  no  hopes  of  recovery ;  and  the  ConfefTors  are  fo 
careful  in  this  point,  that  fometimes  they  begin  to  pro- 
nounce the  abfoiution,  when  a  man  is  alive,  and  he  is 
dead  before  they  finifh  the  words. 

Now,  pray  tell  me,  how  can  a  man  be  twice  in  fucK 
a  point  ?  And  if  he  got  once  as  much,  as  he  can*t  gee 
the  fecond  time,  what  occafion  hath  he  for  the  fecond 
full,  free,  and  plenary  indulgence,  and  abfoiution  o£ 
all  his  fins  ?  I  mufl  flop  here,  for  if  I  was  to  tell  free- 
ly my  opinion  upon  this  point,  fome  will  think  I  do  it 
out  of  fome  private  ends  \  which  I  never  do  upon  de- 
livering of  matters  of  fad. 

^he  twelfth  article^ 

Here  the  moft  holy  Father  gives  his  power  and  au- 
thority to  the  general  apoftolical  CommifTary  of  the 
Cruzade^  and  ail  other  graces  and  faculties^  to  revoke 
and  fufpend  all  the  graces  and  ihdulgencies  granted  in 
this  Bull,  by  his  Holinefs,  during  the  year  of  publifh- 
ing  it  ;  and  not  only  to  fufpend  them,  upon  any  re- 
flridiion  or  limitation,  but  abfolutely,  tho*  this,  or  any 
other  Bull,  or  brief  of  indulgences,  granted  by  this  or 
other  Popes,  did  contain  words  contrary  to  it,  viz.  Sup- 
po-fe  if  Clement,  or  another  Pope,  fhould  fay,  I  grant  to 
fuch  an  one  fuch  faculties,  and  I  anathematize  all  thofe 
ihat  fhould  attempt  to  fufpend  the  faid  faculties.  This 
^  -    ^        P       " "      "      "  "        kit 


1 3?  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  T 

Jaft  expreffion  would  be  of  no  force  at  all,  bccaufe  thtS' 
Bull  fpecifies  the  contrary. 

So  it  is  a  thing  very  remarkable,  that  the  Pope  dif* 
poflcfTeth  himfclf,  by  thisBull,  of  all  his  power  and  au^ 
thority,  and  giveth  it  to  the  general  apoftolical  Commif- 
fary,  infomuch  that  the  apoftolical  Commifiary  hath 
more  power  than  the  Pope  himfelf,  during  the  year  : 
And  this  power  and  authority  is  renewed  &  confirmed 
to  him  by  his  Holinefs.  And  not  only  he  has  this  pow- 
er over  the  Pope,  but  over  all  the  Popes,  and  their 
briefs,  in  whatfoever  time  granted  to  any  place,  or  per- 
fon  whatfoeven  For  it  is  in  the  apoftolical  CommifTa- 
ry's  power  to  fufpend  all  graces  and  privileges  whatfo- 
ever, granted  fince  the  firft  P6pe  began  to  grant  indul- 
gences, which  things  are  all  inconfiftent  with  the  inde- 
pendency and  fupremacy  of  the  holy  Father,  nay,  ac- 
cording to  the  principles  and  fentiments  of  their  own 
authors,  but  we  fee,  they  are  confiilent  with  their  bliiKle 
ncfs  and  ignorance,. 

l^he  thirieenih  article^ 

This  article  flieweth  ns  plainly  the  reafon,  why  the* 
Pope  a6ts  thus  in  the  granting  of  his  power  to  the  ge- 
neral apoftolical  Commiffary  of  xht  Cruzade,  for  he- 
grants  him  authority  to  revoke  and  fufpend  all  the 
indulgences  here  granted  by  himfelf  and  other  Popes, 
but  he  grants  him  the  fame  authority  to  call  again  the 
very  fame  indulgences,  and  to  make  them  good  again » 
And  next  to  this  power  (obferve  this)  he  grants  him 
and  his  deputies  power  to  fix  and  fettle  the  price  or 
charity,  the  people  ought  to  give  for  the  Bull.  This 
is  the  whole  matter,  and  we  may  ufe  the  Englijh  fay- 
ing, No  curs^no  payy  quite  rcverfe,  No  pay ^  no  cure^  no 
indulgence  nor  pardon  of  fins.  The  treafure  of  the 
church  (being  a  fpiritual  gift)  cannot  be  fold  for  mo- 

f7,  without  Simony.    And  if  the  Romans^siy  that  the 
ope  has  that  power  deiivcd  from  Chrifl:,  or  given ^r^ji- 

Us- 


^0    P  O  P  E  R  T.  ZS9 

^is  to  him,  let  them  mind  the  words  :  ^od gratis  ac- 
cepiftes,  gratis  date.  If  the  Pope  payeth  nothing  for 
having  fuch  power,  if  he  has  \t  gratis,  v/hy  does  he  fell 
it  to  the  faithful  ?  Can  a  private  man,  or  his  deputy 
put  a  price  on  a  fpiritual  thing  ?  O  blindneis  of 
ficart  1 

T^e  fourteenth  art  tele  > 

In  this  article  the  general  apoftolical  CommifTarf 
makes  ufc  of  his  power  and  authority,  he  fays,  In  fa- 
vour  cf  this  holy  Bull,  we  do  fufpend,  during  the  year,  alt 
ii^e  graces,  indulgences,  and  faculties  of  this,  or  any  other 
kind,  ^c,  Though  they  he  in  favour  of  the  building  al 
St.  Peter's  church  at  Rome.  Except  only  from  this  fuf- 
fenfion  the  privileges  granted  to  the  fuperiors  of  the  Men- 
dicant  orders.  He  excepts  only  from  this  fufpenfioa 
the  privileges  of  the  four  Mendicant  orders,  becaufe,  the 
Fryars  of  thofe  orders,  \>€\Vi^Mendi cants  or  beggars,  they 
can  be  no  great  hindrance  of  this  projed.  I  afk  my 
countrymen  this  queftion  :  "IiPn.  Francis  Anthony  Ra- 
mirez  has  fuch  a  power,  to  db'^nd  undo,  in  defpite  of 
the  Pope,  whatever  he  pieafes  .:for  a  whole  year  ;  and 
this  power  is  renewed  to  him  every  year,  by  a  frefli  Bull : 
Of  what  ufe  is  the  Pope  in  Spain  ?  And  if  he  has  re- 
figned  his  authority  to  Don  Ramirez :  Why  do  they 
fend  every  year  to  Rome  for  privileges,  difpenfations, 
faculties.  Bulls, ;&c.  and  throw  their  money  away?  If 
Ramirez  has  power  to  (lop,  and  make  void  any  concef- 
lion  by  the  Pope,  what  need  have  they  for  fo  great  trou- 
ble and  expence  ?  Is  not  this  a  great  ftupidicy^  and  lE- 
fatuity  ?  Obferve  the  next  article* 

fhe  fifteenth  article. 

All  thefe  prohibitions  and  fufpcnfions,  aforemention- 
ed, are  only  to  oblige  the  people  to  take  the  Bull  ;  for 
e^  geaeral  apoftolical  Commiffary  fays  :  Wj  dectare 


that  all  thofe  that  t(.ke  this  Bull,  do  obtain,  and  enjoy  alt 
the  graces^  and  faculties,  ^c.  which  have  been  granted  by 
the  Popes  Paul  the  5th.  and  Urbanus  the  Sih.  &c. 
So  if  a  poor  man  takes  no  Bull,  though  he  be  heartily 
penitent,  there  is  no  pardon  for  him.  I  fay,  there  is 
IK)  pardon  for  him  from  the  Pope  and  his  CommifTary, 
but  there  is  furely  pardon  for  him  from  God  j  and  he 
is  in  a  better  way,  than  all  the  bigots  that  take  the  Bull, 
thinking  to  be  free  by  it  from  all  their  fins. 

Obfervc  alfo  the  lad  words  of  this  article  :  TFe  com^ 
Tnand  that  every  body  that  takes  this  Bull,  be  obliged  t& 
keep  by  him  the  fame,  which  is  here  printed,  ftgned  and 
fsaled  with  our  name  and  feal ;  and  that  otherwife  they 
£annot  obtain,  nor  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  [aid  Bull  This 
is  a  cheat,  robbery  and  roguery ;  for  the  defign  of  the 
general  apoftolical  Commiflary  is,  to  oblige  them  ta 
take  another  Bull.  The  cuftom  is,  that  when  thty 
take  every  year  a  new  Bull,  they  ought  to  fhow  the  old 
one,  or  elfe  they  mud  take  two  that  year.  Now  let  us 
fuppofe  that  all  the  contents  of  the  Bull  are  as  effica- 
cious as  the  bigots  do  believe  them  to  be.  A  man 
takes  the  Bull,  pays  for  it,  and  performs  and  fulfilleth 
the  contents  of  it.  Is  not  this  enough  to  enjoy  all  the 
graces,  &c  ?  What  is  the  meaning  then  of  commanding 
to  keep  the  fame  Bull  by  them,  but  a  cheat,  robbery 
and  roguery  i  I  do  not  defire  better  proof  of  this,  than 
^hat  the  Commiflary  affords  me  in  his  following  vvords,^ 
by  which  he  contradicts  himfelf.  He  fays,  and  where- 
cs you  (fpeaking  with  Feter  de  Zuloaga,  who  was  the 
man  that  took  the  Bull  vrhich  is  left  at  the  publifhers 
fliop)  have  given  two  reals  of  plate,  and  have  taken  this 
Bull,  and  your  name  is  written  in  it,  we  declare  that  yon 
have  already  obtained  and  are  granted  the  faid  indulgen-^ 
^es,  ^c.     And  that  you  may  enjoy  and  make  uje  of  them ^^ 

If  he  has  already  obtained  all,  of  what  ufemay  it  be 
to  keep  the  Bull  by  him  ?  How  can  the  CommifTiiry 

^liske   tbefe  expreflbns   agree   together?     ifl.  If  he 

""^     -  -      -        .      -        .     -   .  -  ^^^^^ 


to    P  0  P  E  RT.  141 

'ioth  not  hep  the  Bull  hy  him,  he  cannot  enjoy  the  benefit 
ef  the  Bull  2d.  As  foon  as  he  takes  it^  he  has  already  , 
obtained  all  the  graces^  i^c.  and  enjoys  the  benefit  of  the 
Bull.  Thefe  are  iwo  quite  contrary  things.  Then 
the  defign  in  the  fiift,  is  robbery  and  roguery,  and  in 
the  fecond,  cheat,  fraud  and  deceit. 

Reflect  again  :  Whereas' you  have  taken  the  Bull, 
and  payed  for  it^  you  have  already  obtained  all  the  indul- 
gences and  pardon  of  fins.  By  this  declaration,  infalli- 
.ble  to  the  Romans^  let  a  man  come  from  committing 
murther,  adultery,  facrilege,  &c.  if  he  takes  and  pay- 
cth  for  the  Bull,  his  fins  are  already  pardoned.  Is  not 
this  a  fcandalous  preHimption  ?  If  a  man  is  in  a  flatc 
of  fin,  and  has  no  repentance  in  his  heart,  how  can 
fuch  a  man  be  pardoned  at  fo  cheap  a  rate  as  two  reals 
of  plate  ?  If  this  was  fure  and  ceri;ain,  the  whole  world 
would  embrace  their  religion,  for  they  then  would  be 
jure  of  their  falvation.  Agaira,  if  they  believe  this  Bull 
to  be  true,  how  can  they  doubt  of  their  going  to  hea- 
ven immediately  after  death  .^  For  a  man  whofe  fins 
are  pardoned,  goes  ftraightway  to  heaven  ;  fo  if  the  fins 
of  all  men  and  women  (for  every  body  takes  the  Bull) 
are  pardoned  by  it,  and  confequently  go  to  heaven, 
why  do  they  fet  up  a  purgatory  ?  Or  why  are  chcy 
afraid  of  hell  ? 

Let  us  fay,  that  we  may  fufpc61:,  that  this  Bull  fends 
more  people  into  hell,  than  it  can  lave  from  it ;  for  ic 
is  the  greatefl  encouragement  to  fin  in  the  world.  A 
man  fays,  I  may  fatisfy  my  lufts  and  pafTions,  I  may 
commit  all  wickednefs,  and  yet  I  am  fure  to  be  pardon- 
ed of  all,  by  the  taking  of  this  Bull  for  two  reals  of 
plate,  By  the  fame  rule,  their  confciences  cannet  be 
under  any  remorfe  nor  trouble »,  for  if  a  man  commits" 
a  great  fin,  he  goes  to  confefs,  he  gets  abfolurion,  he 
has  by  him  this  Bull,  or  permiflion  to  fin,  and  hiscon- 
fcience  is  at  pertedl  cafe,  infomuch  that  after  he  gets 
abfoliTcion,  he  may  go  and  commit  new  fms,  and  go  again 
for  abfolution. 

If 


J42  'AMASTER-KET 

If  we  prefs  with  thefe  reflexions  and  arguments  the 
Koman- catholic  Priefts,  efpecially  thofe  of  good  lenfe^ 
they  will  anfwer,  that  they  do  not  believe  any  fuch 
thing;  for  if  a  man  (fay  they)  doth  not  repent  truly 
of  his  (Ins,  he  is  not  pardoned  by  God,  though  he  be 
abfolved  by  the  Contefibr.  Well,  if  it  is  fo,  why  does 
the  Pope,  by  his  general  apoftolical  CommifTary,  fay. 
Whereas  you  have  taken  and  paid  for  this  Bull^you  have 
already  obtained  pardon  ofyourf/ns^  &c  ?  We  mull  come 
then  to  fay,  that  the  cheat,  fraud  and  deceit  is  in  the  ^ 
Pope,  and  that  Don  Ramirez  is  the  Pope's  inftrument 
to  impofe  fo  grofly  upon  the  poor  Spaniards,  Let  the 
Remans  call  him  Holy  ,and  moft  Holy  Father^  the  truth 
is,  that  he,  affronting  God  and  our  Saviour  in  fo  high 
a  degree,  is  in  this  particular  a  devilifh  and  mod  hellifh 
Father. 

The  form  of  abfolution  followeth  after  the  articles, 
in  which  you  may  make  as  many  remarks  as  you  pleafe. 
For  my  part,  I  was  full  of  confufion  to  remember  the 
ignorance  I  was  in,  when  I  was  of  that  communion. 
The  ConfefTor  grants  free  and  full  indulgence  and 
pardon  of  all  fins,  and  of  all  the  pains  and  punifhments 
•which  the  penitent  was  obliged  to  endure  for  them  in 
purgatory.  By  virtue  of  this  abfolution  then,  we  may 
fay,  no  foul  goes  to  purgatory,  efpecially  out  of  the 
dominions  of  the  King  of  6>^/;?,  for  as  I  faid,  in  the  be- 
ginning of  the  explanation  of  the  Bull,  every  living 
foul,  from  feven  years  of  age  and  upwards,  is  obliged 
to^lalce  the  Bull,'  and  confequently,  if  every  foul  ob- 
tains the  grant  of  being  pardoned  of  all  the  pains  which 
they  were  to  endure  and  fuffer  in  purgatory,  all  go  to 
heaven.  Why  do  the  Priefts  afl<:  Maffes,  and  fay  them 
for  the  relief  of  the  fouls  in  purgatory  ? 

Let  us  from  thefe  proceed  to  the  fum  of  the  eftations 
and  indulgences  granted  to  thecitv  oiRome^  which  the 
Pope  grants  likewife  to  all  thofe  that  take  the  Bull  and 
fulfil  the  contents  of  it. 

EJlations^  ia  this  place,  fignify  the  going  from  one 

charck 


to    F  0  P  E  R  r. 


MS 


church  to  another,in  remembrance  of  Chrift's  being,'  or 
remaining  fo  long  on  Mount  Calvary^  fo  long  in  the 
garden,  fo  long  on  the  crofs,  fo  long  in  the  fepulchre. 

We  call  alfo  ejlations^  or  to  walk  the  eilations,  to  go 
from  the  firft  crofs  to  the  Mount  Calvary^  &c.  This 
is  a  new  thing  to  many  of  this  kingdom,  therefore  a 
plain  account  of  that  cuilom  among  the  Romans  will 
not  be  amils  in  this  place. 

There  is,  in  every  city,  town  and  village,  a  Mount 
Calvary  out  of  the  gates,  in  remembrance  of  the  Calvary 
where  our  Saviour  was  crucified.  There  are  fourteen 
croiTes  placed  at  a  diftance  one  from  another.  The 
firfl  crols  is  out  of  the  gates,  and  from  the  firft  to  the 
fecond,  the  Romans  reckon  fo  many  fteps  or  paces, 
more  or  Icls  from  the  fecond  to  the  third,  and  fo  on 
from  one  to  another  of  the  remaining,  till  they  come  to 
the  twelfth  crofs,  which  is  in  the  middle  of  two  crofTes, 
which  reprefent  two  crofTes  where  the  two  malefad:ors 
were  crucified  on  each  fide  of  Chrift.  They  walk  thefe 
twelve  eftations  in  remembrance  of  all  the  fteps  and 
paces  our  Saviour  walked  from  the  gate  of  the  city  of 
Jerufalem  to  Mount  Calvary^  where  he  was  crucified. 
In  the  firft  eftation,  you  will  fee  the  image  of  Jefus,with 
the  crofs  on  his  fhoulders,  in  the  fecond,  falling  down, 
&c.  In  the  laft  crols,  or  laft  eftation  of  the  three  crcfiTes, 
Jcfus  is  reprefented  crucified  between  two  malefac- 
tors. 

Every  Friday  in  the  year  the  devout  people  walk  the 
eftations,  and  kneel  down  before  every  crofs,  and  lay 
fo  many  pater  nofters^  &c.  and  a  prayer  for  the  medita- 
tion of  what  did  happen  to  our  Jefus  at  that  diftance. 
When  the  weather  hinders  the  people  to  go  to  the  great 
Calvary^  they  have  another  in  every  church,  and  in 
the  cloifters  of  the  convents,  and  monafteries,  and  they 
walk  the  eftations  there.  And  efpeciaily  in  Lent^  there 
is  luch  a  crowd  of  people  every  Friday  in  the  afternoon, 
that  there  is  fcarcely  room  enough  in  the  high-way  for 
all  to  kneel  down. 

On 


144  "A  MA  ^^r  E  R^K  E  T 

On  good  Friday  in  the  evening  is  the  great  procef- 
fion,  at  which  almoflall  the  people  afTill  with  lanthorns 
in  their  hands.  The  people,  both  men  and  women, 
old  and  young,  go  to  church  in  the  afternoon  :  The 
parifh  minifler  dreil  in  a  furplice,  and  a  facerdotal 
cloak  on,  and  a  fquare  black  cap  on  his  head,  and  the 
reft  of  the  clergy  in  their  furplices,  and  the  reverend 
Father  preacher  in  his  habit.  This  laft  begins  a  ihort 
exhortation  to  the  people,  recommending  to  them  de- 
votion, humility,  and  meditation  of  our  Saviour's  fuf- 
ferings  ;  after  he  has  done,  the  Prior  of  the  fraternity 
of  vthe  blood  of  Chrift  ordereth  the  procefTion  in  this 
manner  :  Firft  of  all,  at  the  head  of  it,  a  man  in  a  fur- 
plice carrieth  the  crofs  of  the  parilh,  and  two  boys  on 
each  fide  with  two  high  lanthorns,  immediately  after 
begins  the  firft  eftation  of  our  Saviour,  painted  in  a 
ftandard,  which  one  of  the  fraternity  carrieth,  and  the 
brethren  oi  that  eftation  follow  him  in  two  lines  :  And 
the  twelve  eftations,  ordered  in  the  fame  manner,  follow 
one  another.  After  the  eftations,  there  is  a  man  re- 
prefenting  J.  C.  dreft  in  a  T'unica^  or  Nazarene's  gov/n, 
with  a  crown  of  thorns  on  his  head,  that  carrieth  on 
his  flioulders  a  long,  heavy  crofs,  and  another  man 
reprefenting  Simon  of  Cirene^  behind  helps  the  Naza- 
rene  to  carry  the  crofs.  After  him  the  preacher, 
clergy,  and  parifti  minifter,  and  after  them  all  the 
people,  without  keeping  any  form  or  order.  Thus 
the  p-rocefTion  goes  out  of  the  church,  finging  a  proper 
fong  of  the  palTion  of  Jefus  •,  and  when  they  come  to 
the  firft-  crois  of  the  eftations  of  CtjJvary,  the  procef- 
fion  ftops  there,  and  the  preacher  makes  an  exhorta- 
tion, and  tells  what  our  Saviour  did  fuffcr  till  that  firft 
ftep,  and  making  the  fame  exhortations  in  each  of 
the  eleven  croftes  ♦,  when  they  come  at  the  twelfth, 
the  preacher,  on  the  foot  of  the  crofs,  which  is  placed 
between  the  two  croffes  of  the  malefadors,  begins  the 
fermon  of  the  paftion  and  fufferings  of  Chrift,  and 
when  he  has  done,  the  procefiion  comes  back  again  to 

the^ 


h    P  O  P  E  R  r.  145 

the  church,  and  there  the  preacher  dirm'fles  the  people 
with  an  ad  ot  contrition,  which  the  people  repeat  after 

him. 

Thefe  are  the  eflatlons  of  th::  holy  Calvary  :  But  be- 
fides  thefe,  there  are  the  eftations  of  the  holy  fepulchre  ; 
that  is,to  vifu  feven  churchts,orfeven  limes  one  church, 
on  holy  Thurfday,  when  Jefus  is  in  the  monument  : — • 
But  of  thefe  thmgs  I  (h  ill  treat  in  another  place. 

Now,  by  thele  foregoing  indulgences,  and  full  par- 
don of  fins,  the  Pope  doth  grant  to  all  thofe  that  take 
the  Bull,  and  fulfil  the  contents  of  it  (which  are  only  to 
pay  for  it)  any  body,  may  eafily  know  a  lift  of  the  days 
in  which  any  one,   that  vifits  the  churches,  mentioned 
in  it,  enjoys  at  Rome  all  the  aforefaid  faculties,  pardon 
of  fins,  and  indulgences,  and   as    you  may  obferve,  at 
the  end    of  the  fummario^  that  every  day  of  the  year 
there  are,  at  Rome^  many  indulgences  &  pardons  grant- 
ed in  fome  church  or  ofner,  to  all  thofe  that  go  to  vi- 
fit  them.    So,  by  the  grant  of  the  Pope,  in  the  Bull  of 
Cruzade^  the  fame  indulgences   and  pardons  are  given, 
and  in  the  fame  day   \^that  is  every  day  of  the  year)  to 
all  thofe  that  take  the  Bull,     From  this  any  body  may- 
draw  the  fame  confequence   as  before,  that  a  man  can- 
not be  afraid,  in  the  Romi/h  church,  to  go  to  hell  •,  he 
may  commit  every  day  all  villanies  in   the  world,  and 
yet  eveiy  day,  having  the  Bull,  is   fure  of  getting  free 
and  full  pardon  of  his  fins,  and  this  without  the  trou- 
ble of  going  to  confefs  :  For  If  they  will  take  the  pains 
to  read  the   contents  of  the  Bull,  with  a  ferious  mind, 
they  will  find  the  truth   of  what  I  fay  :  That  without 
the  trouble  of  confefling  fins,   any   body   obtains  full 
pardon  of  all  the  crimes  he  has  committed. 

For  the  general  apoftolical  CommilTary  (who  has  the 
Pope's  power  and  authority)  fays,  that  he  that  takes 
the  Bull,  payeth  for  it,  and  writes  his  name  in  it,  ipfo 
fa5lo^  i.  e.  already  obtains  all  the  indulgences  and  par- 
don of  fins,  he.  mentioned  in  the  Bull  \  and  he  doth 
not  fay,  If  ke  confejfethy   or   if  he  is  a  hearty  penitent^ 

Q.  bus 


'146  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R'-K  E  T 

but  already,  without  any  limitation,  or  refervation,  at-^ 
feady  he  enjoyeth  all^  and  may  make  ufe  of  all  the  graces'^ 
<Scc.  So,  by  thefe  expreflions,  it  appears  that  a  man,- 
taking  the  Bull,  paying  for  it,  and  writing  his  name  in 
k,  may  commit  miirther  and  robbery,  &c.  and  yet  ob- 
tain every  day  free  and  full  pardon  of  his  fins,  without 
the  trouble  of  confefTing  them  to  a  Pried,  who,  if  co- 
vetous, will  afk  money  for  abfolution,  or  money  for^ 
MafTes,  for  the  relief  of  the  fouls  in  purgatory. 

This  I  mud  own  of  my  country  people,  that  they 
are  kept  in  fo  great  ignorance  by  the  Priefls,  that  I 
might  dare  to  fay,  that  not  one  of  a  thoufand  that  takes 
the  Bull,  readeth  it,  but  blindly  fubmits  to  what  the 
minifler  of  the  parifn  tells  him,  without  further  inqui- 
ry. This  is  a  liirprifing  thing  to  all  the  Proteftants, 
and  it  is  now  to  me,  but  I  cannot  give  other  rcafons  for 
their  ignorance  in  point  of  religion,  as  for  the  genera- 
lity, but  their  bigotry,  and  blind  faith  in  v/hat  the 
preachers  &  Priefts  tell  them  -,  and,  next  to  this,  that  it 
is  not  allowed  to  them  to  read  the  fcripture,  nor  books' 
of  controverfy  about  religion.* 

I  come  now  to  the  days  in  which  every  body  takes* 
a  foul  out  of  purgatory.  Obferve  thofe  marked  with' 
a  ftar,  and  befides  them,  there  is  in  every  convent  and 
parifh  church,  at  lead:,  one  privileged  altar,  i.  e.  any 
body  that  fays  five  times  Pater  Nqfter^^c.  and  five 
times  Ave  Maria^  with  Gloria  Patria^  &c.  takes  a  foul 
out  of  purgatory,  and  this  at  any  time,  and  in  any  day 
of  the  year,  not  only  in  Spain^  by  the  virtue  of  the  Bull, 
but  in  France^  Gennany^  Italy^  and  in  all  the  Roman- 
catholic  countries  where  they  have  no  Bull  of  Cruzade. 
From  this,  I  fay,  that  if  there  is  a  purgatory,  it  muft 
be  an  empty  place,  or  that  it  is  impofiible  to  find  there 
any  foul  at  all,  and  that  the  Roman-catholics  take  e- 
very  year  more  fouls  out  of  it,  than  can  go  into  it  :— « 
Which  I  fhall  endeavour  to  prove  by  evident  argu^ 
ments,  grounded  on  their  principles  ?.nd  belief. 

For,  firfl  of  all,  there  is  in  the  Bull  nine  days  in  the 

year 


lo    P  0  P  E  R  T.  147 

year  in  which  every  living  perfon  takes  a  foul  out  ot 
purgatory,  and  by  this  undeniable  truch  among  therm- 
Jclves,  It  doth  appear,  that  every  living  perfon,  man, 
-woman  or  child,  from  feven  years  of  age  and  upwards, 
takes  every  year  nine  fouls  out  of  purgatory. 

Secondly.  Every  body  knovveth  the  Uoman- catholics 
opinion,  that  no  body  can  be  faved  out  of  their  com- 
munion J  and  by  this  infallible  (as  they  believej  prin- 
ciple, they  do  not  allow  any  place  in  purgatory  to  the 
fouls  of  Protcftants,  and  other  people  of  other  profef- 
fions ;  and  fo  only  Roman-cathoiic  fouls  are  the  pro- 
prietors of  that  place  of  torment. 

Thirdly.  It  is  undeniable,  hy  t\\Q  Romans^  that  ever 
fmce  that  place  of  purgatory  was  built  up  by  the  Popes 
and  councils,  the  Roman- catholics  have  enjoyed  the 
granting  of  a  privileged  alrar  in  every  church,  that,  by 
their  prayers,  the  fouls  of  their  parents  or  friends  may 
be  relieved  and  delivered  out  of  that  place. 

Fourthly.  That  to  this  granting,  the  Popes  have 
been  fo  generous,  that  they  have  granted,  in  fuch  days, 
fpecial  privileges  to  fome  churches,  for  ail  thofe  that 
flijuld  vif3t  them,  to  take  fouls  out  of  purgatory. 

Fifthly.  That  all  the  prayers  faid  before  fuch  altars 
for  fuch  a  foul  in  purgatory,  if  the  foul  is  out  of  it, 
whtn  the  perfon  fays  the  prayers,  thofe  prayers  go  to 
the  treafure  of  the  church  ;  and  by  this  opinion,  un^ 
deniable  by  them,  the  treafure  of  the  church  is  well 
flocked  with  prayers,  and  when  the  Pope  has  a  mind 
to  grant,  at  oner,  a  million  of  prayers,  he  may  take  a 
million  of  fouls  out  of  purgatory. 

Thefe  .  five  principles  and  obfervations  are  uncon- 
tedabie  by  any  of  the  Roman-catholics,  Nov/  let  us 
compute  the  number  of  Roman-catholics  that  are  alive, 
and  the  number  of  the  dead  every  year.  I  fay,  com- 
pute, that  is,  fuppofe  a  certain  number  ot  the  living 
and  ot  the  dead  every  year.  And  1  beg^in  with  the 
kingdom  of  Spain^  and  its  dominions,  as  the  only  par- 
takers of  the  privileges  granted  in  the  Bull  oiCrnzade, 

firft 


X4S  A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

Firft.  Let  us  ruppofe,that  In  the  whole  dominions  of 
Spain^  there  are  but  fix  millions  of  living  perfons ;  J 
fprak  of  the  Roman-catholics :  And  that  three  millions 
of  rhofe  catholics  die  every  year ;  and  that  %11  their 
fouls  go  to  purgatory  •,  for  though  t^e  fuppofitioa 
is  diladvancagKais  to  my  purpofr,  I  will  allow  them 
more  than  they  can  exptcl:.  In  the  firlV  place,  by  rea- 
fonable  computation,  half  of  the  living  peifons  do  not 
die  every  year :  But  1  fuppofe  this,  to  make  my  argu- 
gument  fo  much  the  Wronger,  Seconcily.  In  their 
opinion,  very  many  of  the  louls  of  thule  that  die  go  to 
Heaven,  and  fome  to  Ht  11,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
Bull.  By  this  computation  the  three  m  llions  of  peo- 
ple that  remain  alivr,  by  the  Bull,  take  out  of  purga- 
toiy,  feven  and  twenty  millions  oi  fouls  that  very  year. 
For  there  are  nine  days,  in  the  Bull  fixed,  on  which 
every  living  perfon  takes  one  foul  out  of  purgatory  5 
if  then,  only  three  millions  of  people  die  every  year, 
hew  can  the  three  remaininti  alive  take  out  twenty- 
feven  millions,  it  being  impcffib'e  that  there  ihould  be 
more  than  thr<-e  millions  in  pur^^atory  that  year.  And 
befu'es  this  plain  drmonftratior,  and  befides  the  nine 
days  a^ppointed  in  the  Bull,  according  to  their  belief,  and 
every  day  of  the  year,  and,  toties  quciies^  they  pray  at  a 
privileged  auar,  they  take  out  or  purgatojy  that  foul 
for  which  they  pray,  or  if  that  foul  is  not  in  purgatory, 
any  other  which  they  have  a  mind  for,  or  elfe  the  pray- 
er goes  to  the  treaiure  of  the  church  :  And  fo,  by  this 
addition,  we  may  fay  that  if,  out  of  f hree  millions  of 
living  peifons  only  half  a  million  of  people  pray  eve»-y 
day,this  half  million  takes  out  of  purgatory,every  year, 
582  millions  and  a  half  of  fouls.  If  they  fcruple  this 
number,  let  them  fix  any  other  living  perfons,  and  then 
multiply  nine  times  more  the  number  of  fouls  delivered 
our  of  purgatory  every  year,  by  virtue  of  the  nine  days 
mentioned  in  the  Bull  -,  or  by  the  privileged  altars, 
multiply  one  to  7,6c^  fouls  delivered  out  of  the  fiames 
every  year,  by  every  living  perfon,  as  1  (hall  demon- 
ftrate  mgre  plainly  by  and  by.  As 


to    POPE  R  r. 


H9 


As  for  France,  Germany,  Italy,  Portugal^  and  other 
Koman-catholic  countries,  as  I  laid  before,  they  have 
their  privileged  altars  to  take  a  loul  out  of  purgatory, 
ioties  qiaiies,  a  Roman  fays  lo  many  Pater  Nofters  and 
jive  Marias  before  them.  And  fo  nfc  the  fame  mul- 
tiplication to  convince  them,  that  there  cannot  be  fo 
many  fouls  in  purgatory  as  they  deliver  out  of  it  every 
year,  or  that  purgatory  by  courfe,  muft  be  an  empty 
place,  &c. 

If  they  anfwer  to  this  ftrong  reafon,  that  wc  muft 
fuppofe  tor  certain,  that  the  fouls  of  many  millions  of 
people,  for  many  years  palt,  are  in  purgatory,  and  that 
there  is  ilock  enough  taken  our" of  it  every  year,  if 
there  were  ten  times  more  livipg  perfons  than  there  are 
now  in  the  Roman- catholic  countries  :  1  l^y,  that  the 
fuppofirioh  has  no  room  at  all,  and  that  it  is  impolli- 
ble  ;  for  let  us  begin  ac  the  time  when  purgatory  was 
firft  found  out  by  the  Pope,  and  let  us  fuppofe,  ^r/?//V, 
that  there  is  fuch  a  place,  which  we  deny. 

The  firil  year,  that  that  imaginary  place  was  fettled 
an?.ong  the  Romans^  the  very  fame  year  the  privileged 
altars  were  in  fafhion  :  The  people  that  were  \th  alive 
that  year,  took  out  all  the  fouls  of  tlie  perfons  dead  the 
fame  year,  and  more  too,  for  as  the  new  privilege  was 
granted  then,  every  body  was  more  charitable  in  tak- 
ing the  fouls  of  his  relations  and  friends  out  of  fufFerings 
at  lo  cheap  a  rate  as  five  Pater  Nofiers^  &c.  The  next 
year  the  fame,  and  fo  on,  year  by  year,  till  this  prefent 
time,  lo  that  it  is  impofiiblc  to  believe  that  there  are  a 
greater  number  of  fouls  than  of  perfons  dead. 

I  fay  again,  that  by  thefe  principles,  fure  among  xht 
Romans,  the  CatboUcs  only  of  Spain,  and  all  the  domi- 
nions belonging  to  it,  are  enough  to  deliver  out  of  pui*- 
gatory  all  the  fouls  of  all  the  Catholics  dead  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  in  ChrilVndom  ;  and  if  what 
they  believe  was  certain,  ir  fhould  be  certain  too,  that 
fince  the  Bull  is  granted  tO  the  Catholic  Kings  and  their 
dominions,  which  is  fince  the  reisrn  oi  Kins:  Ferdinand^ 


t 


the 


fSo  'J    M  A  s  r  E  R-K  E  r 

the  Cathclic^  only  the  Spaniards  have  delivered  out  of 
purgatory  more  fouls  than  perfons  are  dead  fince  the 
univerial  fl^od;  for  every  living  peribn,from  that  time 
till  this  prefent  day,  has  taken  out  of  purgatory,  every 
year,  7t)^  fouls  by  .the  privileged  altars,  and  9  more  by 
virtue  ot  the  Bull :  Nov/  I  leave  to  the  curious  reader 
to  make  ufe  of  the  rule  of  multiplication,  and  he  will 
find  clear  demonftrations  of  my  laying.  I  do  not  talk 
now  of  thofe  innumerable  fouls  that  are  freed  frorr^ 
this  place  every  d.iy  of  the  year  by  theMafles,  leavmg 
this  for  another  place. 

Indeed  I  have  fearched  among  the  fophiftries  of  the 
Roman  catholics,  to  fee  whether  I  could  find  ibme  rear 
fon  or  anfvver  to  this,  &  I  protell:,  I  could  not  fincj  any, 
for  as  I  am  fure,  they  will  endeavour  to  cloud  this 
work  with  ground lefs  fubterfuges  and  fophiflries,  I  was 
willing  to  prevent  ail  forts  of  objeiflion?,  which  may  be 
made  by  them  ;  only  one  anfwer,  which  1  may  be- 
lieve they  will  give  me,  comes  now  into  my  head,  and 
it  is  this,  that  as  the  Romans  cannot  anfwer  any  thing 
contrary  to  my  dtmonftratlon,  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
they  will  fay,  that  I  reafon  &  argue  as  an  ignorant,  be- 
caufc  I  do  not  know  that  the  fouls  in  purgatory  are  fruit- 
ful beings,  that  one  produces  a  great  many  little  one^ 
every  year,  1  fay,  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  being  preft, 
they  muft  come  at  lad  to  fuch  nonfenfical,  fanraltical, 
dreaming  reafons  to  anfwer  to  this  urgent  argument. 
So  we  may  fafcly  conclude,  &  with  a  Chriftian  confi- 
dence fay,  that  if  there  is  fuch  a  place  as  purgatory,  it 
muft  be  an  empty  place,  or  that  it  is  impoflible  to  find 
there  any  fouls,  or  that  the  Roman-catholics  take  eve- 
ry \ear  more  fouls  out  of  it,  than  can  go  into  it;  all 
v/hich,  being:  againft  the  evidence  of  natural  reafon,  and 
computation  made,  it  i^adreami,  fidion,  or  to  iay  the 
truth,  roguc^ry,  robbery  and  a  cheat  of  the  Pope  and 
Priefls.  As  for  the  Pope  (if  the  report  in  the  public 
news  is  true)  I  muft  beg  leave  to  except  for  a  while  this 
prefcnc  Pope,  who  in  his  behaviour  makes  himfelf  the 

exception 


ta    P  0  P  E  R  r,  i^f 

exception  of  the  rule.  I  fay,  for  a  while,  for  by  feveral 
iiiitances  (as  I  fhall  fpeak  to  in  the  fccond  pare)  mm/ 
Popes  have  had  a  good  beginning,  and  a  very  bad  end. 
God  enlighten  him  with  his  holy  fpirit,  that  he  may 
bring  in  all  Papift  countries  to  our  reformation.  And 
I  prayGv:)d  Alnighty,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  to 
give  to  all  the  Romaju  fuch  a  light  as  his  infinite  good- 
nefs  has  been  pleafcd  to  grant  me, 'and  that  all  m;^- 
country  people,  and  all  thofe  that  call  themlelves  Ro- 
man catholics,  would  make  the  fame  ufe  of  that  li^^hc 
that  I  have  endeavoured  to  make  ufe  of  myfelf,  to 
know  the  corruptions  of  their  church,  and  to  renounce 
them  with  as  firm  and  hearty  refolution,  as  I  have  done 
mylelf  •,  and  I  pray  God,  who  muft  be  my  judge,  to 
continue  in  me  the  fame  light,  and  his  grace,  that. I  may., 
live  and  die  in  the  religion  I  have  embraced,  and  to 
give  me  the  defired  comfort  of  my  hearr,  which  is  to 
fee  many  of  my  beloved  country  people  come  and  en- 
joy the  quietnefs  of  mind  and  confcience  I  do  enjoy,  as 
to  this  point  of  religion  and  way  of  falvacion  ;  and  I 
wifh  I  could  prevail  with  them  to  read  the  Bull,which, 
they  believe,  is  the  fa^jilo  fan5forum,  the  pafTport  to 
heaven,  and  I  am  fure  they  would  find  the  contrary, 
and  fee  that  it  is  only  a  dream,  a  dofe  of  opium  to  lull 
them  alleep,  and  keep  them  always  ignorant :  That 
God  Almighty  may  grant  to  them  and  me  too  all  thefe 
things,  IS  my  conftant  prayer  to  him. 


PART. 


«53  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

PART.     III. 

A  praEiical  accou7it  of  their  MaJfeSy  pri-r 
vileged  Altars^  Tranfubjlantiatioit  and  . 
Purgatory. 

I  do  comprife  all  the  four  heads  in  one  chapter^  hecaufe 
there  is  a  near  relation  between  them  all^  though  J  Jhalt 
Jpeak  of  them  feparatety^  and  as  difiinB  articles, 

ARTICLE      I. 

Of  their  Maffes. 

TH  E  Mafs  for  Priefls  and  Fryars  is  better,  and 
has  greater  power  and  virtue  than  the  load- 
•ftone,  for  this  only  draws  iron,  but  that  allures  and  gets 
to  them  filver,  gold,  precious  Hones,  and  all  forts  of 
.fruits  of  the  earth  ;  therefore  it  is  proper  to  give  a  de- 
fcription  of  every  thing  the  Prieds  do  make  ufe  of 
to  render  the  Mafs  the  mod  magnificent  and  re- 
fpcdful  thing  in  the  world,  in  the  eyes  of  the  peo- 
ple. 

The  Prieft  every  morning,  after  he  has  examined 
Ms  confcience,  and  confefs'd  his  fins  (which  they  call  ^ 
reconciliation)  goes  to  the  veftry  and  wafhes  his  hands, 
afterwards,  he  kneels  down  before  an  image  of  a  cru- 
cifix, which  is  placed  on  the  draws,  where  the  orna- 
ments  are  kept,  and  fays  ieveral  prayers  and  pfalms, 
written  in  a  book,  called  preparatorium.  When  the 
Prieft  has  done,  he  gets  up,  and  goes  to  drefs  himfelf, 
all  the  ornaments  being  ready  upon  the  draws,  which 

are: 


to  p  0  p  E  R  r.  tsi 

ire  like  the  table  of  an  altar  ;  then  he  takes  the  Am^ 
iilOy  which  is  like  an  holland  handkerchief,  and  kiffing 
the  middle  of  it,  puts  it  round  about  his  neck,  and  fays 
a  Ihort  prayer.     After  he  takes  the  Alva^  which  is  a 
lon'y  furplice  with  narrow  fleeves,  laced  round  about 
v^ith  fine  lace,  and  fays  another  prayer  while  he  puts 
it  on,  JThe  clerk  is  always  behind  to  help  him.    Then  he 
takes  the  Cingulum,  i.  e.  the  girdle,  &  fays  a  prayer ;  after 
he  takes  tht  Stola^  which  is  a  long  lift  of  filk,  with  a  crofs  in 
the  middle,  and  two  croflesat  the  ends  of  it,  and  fays  ano- 
ther prayer  while  he  puts  it  nn  his  neck,  &  crofles  it  before 
his  bread,  and  tieth  it  with  the  ends  of  the  girdle.    After, 
he  takes  the  Manipulum,  I  e,  a  fhort  lift  of  the  fame  filk, 
withasmany  crofTesinit,  and  tieth  it  on  the  left  arm,  fay- 
ing a  prayer.     Then  he  takes  the  Cafulla^  i.  c.  a  fort  of 
a  drcfs  made  of  three  yards  of  a  filk  llufF,  a  yard  wide 
behind,  and  fomething  narrower  before,  with  an  hole 
in  the  middle  to  put  his  head  through  it.     After  he  is 
thus  dreft,  he  goes  to  the  corner  of  the  tableland  tak- 
ing the   chalice^  cleans  it  with   a  little  holland  towel, 
with  which  the  chalice's  mouth  is  covered,  after  he  puts 
a  large  Hoft  on  the  patena^  i.  e.  a  fmail  filver  plate  gilt, 
which  ferves  to  cover  the  chalice^  and  puts  on  the  hoft 
a  neat  piece  of  fine  holland  laced  all  over.     Then  he 
covers  all  with  a  piece  of  filk,  three  quarters  of  a  yard 
in  fquare.     After  he  examines  the  corporales^  i.  e.  two 
pieces  of  fine,  well  ftarched  holland,   with  lace  round 
about  i  the  firft  is  three  quarters  of  a  yard  fquare,  and 
the  fecond  half  a  yard,  and  folding  them  both,  puts 
them  in  a  flat  cover,  which  he  pu^s  on  the  chalice^  and 
taking  a  Iquared  cap,  if  he  is  a  f^cular  Prieft,  puts  ic 
on  his  head,  and  having  the  chalice  in  his  handf,  makes? 
a  great  bow  to  the  crucifix,  fays  a  prayer,  and  goes  ouG 
ot  the  veftry  to   the  altar,  where    he  defigns  to  fay 
Mafs.     This  is,  as  to  the  private  Mais.     Now  before 
I  proceed  to  the  great  Mafs,  which  is  always  fung,  ic 
is  fit  to  talk  of  the  riches  of  their  ornaments. 

As  in  tiic  Romifh  church  are  fevcral  feftivals,  viz; 


'54 


'A    M  A  Sr  E  R-K  E  T 


thafe  of  our  Saviour  Chrift,  Chriftmas,  Circumcifion,  E* 
piDhd.ay^  Ealter,^  Afcenrion.  Pentecoflcs,  and  Trans- 
figuration :  Thofe  of  the  H.^jiy  Crofs  ;  thofe  of  the 
Mc /Ted  Virgin  Mary  %  thofe  of  the  Angels,  ApoftleSj 
Martyrs,  ConfffToii),  Virgins,  &.c.  So  there  are  feveral 
forts  or  ornamerus  and  of  divers  colours,  white  for  all 
the  feilivals  of  Jefu?  Chriil,  except  Pentecoftes,  in  which 
the  ornaments  are  red  ;  white  alfo,  for  the  feftivals  of 
the  Virgin  Mary^  ConfelTors,  and  Virgins  j  red  for 
Martyrs  ;  violtc  colour  for  Advent  and  Lent ;  and 
black  for  the  Mafies  of  the  dead. 

The  fame  rule  is  obferved  in  the  fron^ts  of  the  Altar's 
table,  or  ara  altaris^  which  are  always  adorned  witfc 
iiar>^ings  of  the  colour  of  the  day's  feftivals.  In  every 
parifh  church  and  convent  there  are  many  ornaments 
cf  each  of  the  faid  colours,  all  of  the  richjift  filks,  with 
filver,  gold  and  embroidery.  There  are  many  long 
el  ak^  or  pa  a  gi  of  all  forts  of  colours,  feveral  dozens  of 
ahas^  or  furplices  oi  the  fine  ft  holland,  with  the  fineft 
laces  round  abcut  them,  chalice  of  filver,  the  infiJeof 
the  cup  g\lt,  many  cf  gold,  and  many  of  gold  fet  with 
dia.ncnds  and  precious  ftones.  There  is  one  in  the 
cathedral  of  St.  Sakaior^  \n  the  city  of  Zaragofa^  which 
weighs  five  pounds  of  gold,  fet  all  over  with  diamonds, 
and  is  valued  at  1500a  crowns,  and  this  is  not  account- 
ed an  ( xt'-aordinary  one» 

A  pjfTenct  of  filver  gilt  all  over,  to  keep  the  holy 
water  and  liyfop,  with  a  filver  handle,  to  be  ufed  in  holy 
days  at  chufth,.is  an  indifpen fable  thing  almuft  in  every 
ehurc^i ;  as  aifo  two  bi^-  candiefticks  four  feet  high, 
for  the  two  ^icccliis  or  ^ffylants  to  the  great  Mafs.  In 
feveral  chu.chcs  there  arc  two  ciriaks^  i=  e.  big  candie- 
fticks five  fe;  t  high  all  of  filvtr,  which  weigh  200- 
pounds  in  fome  churches,  and  another  bigger  than  theie 
for  the  blcfted  candle  on  Candlemas  day.  Six  other 
middle  filver  candu  fticks,  which  ferve  on  the  ara  or 
altar's  cable,  filver  (and  in  many  churches,)  gold  bot- 
J^  aad  pkic  to  keep  che  Wdtcr  and  wme  that  is  ufed' 

m 


t9    P  0  P  E  R  r.  ts3 

\n  the  Mafs,  a  fmall  filver  bell  for  the  finne  iifc,  M 
incenfaiy,  and  ftand  for  the  Mifal,  or  Mats- book,  and 
another  ftand  of  filvcr  two  fe^^t  high,  for  the*  deacon  and 
fuhdeacon  to  read  on  it  the  epiftle  and  oofpel. 

There  is  alfo  in  the  great  altar  the  cuftcdia^  i.  e.  a  fi- 
gure of  a  fun  and  beams  made  of  gold,  and  many  of 
them  fct  with  precious  ftones  to  keep  in  th€  center  of 
it  the  great  confecrated  Hoft,in  the  middk  of  twochry- 
Hals :  The  foot  of  the  cuftodia  is  made  of  the  lame 
metal  •,  it  is  kept  in  a  gilt  tabernacle,  and  fhewn  to  the 
people  upon  feveral  occafions,  as  I  will  mention  in  an« 
other  place, 

Befides  this  rich  cuftodia^  there  is  a  big  filver  or  gold 
cup  kept  in  the  fame,  or  another  tabernacle  on  another 
altar,  which  is  to  keep  the  fmail  confecrated  wafers  tor 
the  communicants.  Before  thofe  tabernacles  a  filver 
lamp  is  burning  night  and  day.  The  altars  are  adorn'd 
On  feveral  festivals  with  the  filver  bodies  of  fcvcra! 
faints,  fome  as  big  as  a  man,  fome  half  bodies  with 
crowns  or  mitres  fet  with  precious  flones, 

I  could  name  feveral  churches  and  convents,  where 
I  faw  many  rarities  and  abundance  of  rich  ornaments^ 
but  this  being  a  thing  generally  known  by  the  private 
accounts  of  many  travellers,  I  (hall  only  give  adefcrip- 
tion  of  the  rarities  and  riches  of  the  church  of  the  lady 
del  Pilar^  and  that  of  St.  Salvator^  in  the  city  of  Z^r^- 
gofa\  becaufe  I  never  met  with  any  book  which  did 
mention  them,  and  the  reafon  (as  I  believe)  is,  becaufe 
foreigners  do  not  travel  much  in  Spain^  tor  want  of 
good  Gonveniencies  on  the  roads,  and  for  the  difmal 
journey  in  which  they  cannot  fee  an  houle,  fome  times 
in  twenty  miles,  and  Ibmetimes  in  thirty. 

In  the  cathedral  church  of  St.  Salvator  there  is  forty- 
five  Prebendaries,  befides  the  Dt-an,  Archdeacon,  Chan- 
ter, and  fixty-fix  Bcneficiates,  fix  Priefls  and  a  Mafler, 
and  twelve  boys  for  the  mufic,  and  fixty  clerks  and 
under  clerks,  and  fextons.  The  church  contains  thirty 
chapels,  big  and  fmall,  aad  the  great  altar  thirty  feet 

high 


A    MASTER- KET 

Iiigh&  tW-iiroad,  all  of  marble  (lone,  with  many  bodici| 
of  fai^s^^l^  the  fame,  and  in  the  middle  of  it  the  trans- 
figur^li^Qof  our  Saviour  in  the  Mount  Tabor^  with 
the  apofiles  all  reprefcnted  in  marble  figures.  The 
front  of  the  altar's  table  is  made  ot  folid  filver,  the 
frame  gilt  and  adorned  with  precious  ftones.  In  the 
trfafure  of  the  church  they  keep  fixteen  bodies  of 
faints  of  pure  filver,  among  which  that  of  St.  Peter 
Argues^  (who  was  a  prebendary  in  the  fame  church, 
and  was  murthered  by  the  Sarracens)  is  adorned  with 
rich  flones  of  a  great  value.  Befides  thefe  they  keep 
twelve  half  filver  bodies  of  other  faints,  and  many  re7 
licks  fet  with  gold  and  diamonds.  Forty-eight  filver 
candletticks  for  the  altar's  table,  two  big  ones,  and  the 
third  for  the  blefled  candle,  three  hundred  pound 
weight  each  :  Thirty  fix  fmall  filver  candlefticks;  and 
fix  made  of  folid  gold,  for  the  great  feftivals.  Four 
pofiTenets  of  filver,  two  of  folid  gold,  with  the  handles 
of  hyfops,  of  the  fame.  Two  big  crofiTes,  one  of  filver, 
the  other  of  gold,  ten  feet  high,  to  carry  before  the 
procefiions.  1  en  thoufand  ounces  of  filver  in  plate, 
part  of  it  gilt,  to  adorn  the  two  corners  of  the  altar  on 
great  feftivals,  and  when  the  Archbifhop  officiates,  and 
fays  the  great  Mafs.  Three  and  thirty  filver  lamps, 
of  which  the  fmalleft  is  an  hundred  and  ^hy  pounds 
v^eight,  and  the  biggeft,  which  is  before  the  great  altar, 
gilt  all  over,  is  fix  hundred  and  thirty  pounds  weightc 
Abundance  of  rich  ornaments  for  Priefts,  of  inexprefll- 
ble  value.  Eighty -four  chalices,  twenty  of  pure  gold, 
and  fixty-four  ot  filver,  gilt  on  the  infide  of  the  cup  ; 
and  the  rich  chalice  which  only  the  Archbifhop  makei* 
ufeofin  his  pontifical  drefs. 

All  thefe  things  are  but  trifles  in  comparifon  with  the 
great  cujlodia  they  make  yfe  of  to  carry  the  great  Hoft 
through  the  ftreets  on  the  feftival  of  Corpus  Chriftl  % 
This  was  a  prefent  made  to  the  cathedral  by  the  Arch- 
Jjifliop  of  Sevily  who  had  been  Prebendary  of  that 
-phurch  beforeo     The  circurpference  of  the  fun  and 

beams 


to    F  O  P  E  R  r. 

b^ams  IS  a<?  big  as  chs  wheel  of  a  coach  :  At  the  end 
of  each  beam  there-  is  a  ftir.  The  center  of  the  fan, 
where  the  great  H.)ll:  is  placed  between  two  cryftals, 
fet  with  big  dia'iionds ;  the  beams  are  all  of  r>lid  g^^ld 
fct  with  feveral  precious  ftones,  and  in  the  midJle  of 
each  ftar,  a  rich  emerald  fet  in  gold.  The  cryftal 
with  the  great  H^tt  is  fixed  in  the  mouth  of  the  rich 
chalice,  and  the  chalice  on  a  pedellal  oFfilver,  all  gilc 
over,  which  is  three  feet  high.  The  whole  cufiodia  is 
five  hundred  pound  v/eight:  And  this  is  placed  on  a 
gilt  bafe  which  is  carried  by  twelve  Priefts,  as  I  (hall  tell 
you  in  another  article.  Several  goldfmiths  have  endea- 
voured to  value  this  piece,  but  no  body  could  fet  a  cer- 
tain fum  on  it.  One  faid  that  a  million  ot  piftoles  was 
too  little.  And  how  the  Archbifhop  could  gather  toge- 
ther fo  many  precious  ftones,  every  body  was  furpriied 
at,  till  we  heard  that  a  brother  of  his  Grace  died  in  Peru^ 
and  left  him  great  fums  of  money,  and  a  vaft  quantity 
of  diamonds  and  precious  ftones. 

I  come  now  tofpeak  of  the  treafure  and  rarities  of 
the  Lady  del  Pilar,  In  the  church  of  this  lady  is  the 
fame  number  of  prebendaries  and  benefi^iates,  mufi- 
cians,  clerks  and  fextons,  as  in  the  cathedral  church  of 
St.  Salvator^  and  as  to  the  ornaments  ani  filver  plate 
they  are  VQiy  much  the  fame,  except  only  that  of  the 
great  cuftodia^  which  is  not  fo  rich.  But  as  to  the 
chapel  of  the  blelTed  Virgin,  there  is  without  compa- 
rifon  mo'-e  in  it  than  in  the  cathedral.  I  ftiall  treat  of 
the  image  in  another  chapter.  Now, as  to  her  riches,  I 
y/ill  give  you  an  account  as  far  as  I  rcm^oib^r,  for  it 
is  impoftible  for  every  thing  to  be  kept  in  the  memory 
of  man. 

In  the  little  chapel,  where  the  imiTe  is  on  a  pillar, 
are  four  angels  as  big  and  tall  as  a  man,  with  a  big 
candleft'ck,  each  of  them  all  made  orTilver  gilt.  The- 
front  of  two  altars  is  folid  filver,  with  gilt  frames,  fct 
with  rich  ftones.  Before  the  imag*  there  is  a  lami^ 
^or  as  they  call  ic)  a  fpider  of  cr/^tal,  in  which  twelve 

wax 


i5«  "^A    M  A  S  t  E  R'  K  E  T 

wax  candles  burn  night  and  day  :  The  feveral  pam 
of  the  fpidcr  arc  fee  with  gold  and  diamonds,  which 
was  a  prefent  made  to  the  Virgin  by  Don  John  of 
Auftria^  who  alfo  left  her  in  his  laft  will  his  own  heart, 
which  accordingly  was  brought  to  her,  and  is  kept  in 
a  gold  box  fet  with  large  diamonds,  and  which  hangs 
before  the  image.  There  is  a  thick  grate  round  about 
the  little  chapel  of  folid  filver  :  Next  to  this  is  another 
chapel  to  fay  Mafs  in  before  the  image  ^  and  the  altar- 
piece  of  it  is  all  made  of  filver  from  the  top  to  the  aU 
tar's  table,  which  is  of  jafper  ftone,  and  the  front  of 
filver,  with  the  frame  gilt,  fet  with  precious  floneso 
The  rich  crown  of  the  Virgin  is  twenty-five  pounds 
weight,  fet  all  over  with  large  diamonds,  fo  that  no 
body  can  fee  any  gold  in  it,  and  every  body  thinks  ic 
is  all  made  of  diamonds.  Befides  this  rich  one,  (he 
has  ^iin  crowns  more  of  pure  gold, fet  with  rich  diamonds 
and  emeralds,  the  fmallell  of  which  is  worth  half  % 
million. 

The  rofes  of  diamonds  and  other  precious  floncs 
file  has  to  adorn  her  mantle  are  innumerable-,  for  tho* 
fke  is  dreil  every  day  in  the  colour  of  the  church's 
feftival,  and  never  ufeth  twice  the  fame  mantle,  which 
is  of  the  bell  (lufF  imbroidered  with  gold,  fhe  has  ne\v 
rofes  of  precious  (lones  every  day  for  three  years  toge- 
ther, fhe  has  three  hundred  and  fixcy-five  necklaces  of* 
pearls  and  diamonds,  and  fix  chains  of  gold  fet  with 
diamonds,  which  are  put  on  her  mantle  on  the  great 
feflivals  of  Chrift. 

In  the  room  of  her  treafure  are  innumerable  heads, 
arms,  legs,  eyes  and  hands  made  of  gold  and  filver, 
prefented  to  her  by  the  people,  which  have  been  cured 
(as  they  believe)  by  miracle  through  the  Virgin's  divine 
power  and  intercefnons.  In  this  fecond  chapel  are 
one  hundred  and  ninety-five  filver  lamps  in  three  lines 
one  over  the  other :  Tne  lamps  of  the  lowed  rank  are 
bigger  than  thofe  of  the  fecond,  and  thefe  bigger  than 
thofe  of  the  third.     The  five  lamps  facing  the  image 

are 


t9    P  O  P  E  R  r. 


»5J 


arc  abotit  five  hundred  pound  weight  each,  the  fixtv 
of  the  fame  line  four  hundred  pound  weight,  Thofe 
of  the  fecond  line  are  two  hundred  pound  weight,  and 
tthofe  of  the  third  line,  one  hundred  pound  weight. 
There  is  the  image  of  the  Virgin  in  the  treafure  made 
in  the  ihape  of  a  woman  five  feet  high,  all  of  pure  fil- 
ver,  fet  with  precious  ftoncs,  and  a  crown  of  gold  fct 
with  diamonds,  and  this  image  is  to  be  carried  in  a 
public  proceflion  the  days  appointed.  I  will  fpeak  of 
the  miraculous  image  in  the  following  chapter. 

I  remember  that  when  the  Right  Honorable  Lord 
Stanhope,  then  General  of  the  Englijb  forces,  was  in 
Zaragofa^zh^T  the  battle,  he  went  to  fee  the  treafure  of 
the  Lady  of  Filar^  which  was  fhewn  to  him,  and  I 
heard  him  fay  thefe  words :  If  all  the  Kings  of  Europe 
(hould gather  together  all  their  treafures  i^ precious  fi one s^ 
they  coula  net  buy  half  of  the  riches  of  this  treafury^ 
And  by  this  expreflion  of  fo  wife  and  experienced  a 
man,  every  body  may  judge  of  their  value. 

After  this  iKort  account  of  the  ornaments  to  be  ufed 
at  Mafs,  and  the  incomparable  treafures  of  the  Remijb 
church,  I  proceed  to  a  defcription  of  the  great  or  high 
Mafles,  their  ceremonies,  and  of  all  the  motions  and 
geftures  thePriefts  make  in  the  celebration  of  a  Mafs. 

Befides  the  Pried,  there  mull  be  a  deacon,  fubdea- 
con,  v^o  acoliti^  \.  e.  two  to  carry  the  big  candlefticks 
before  the  Pricft,  and  one  to  carry  the  incenfary.  The 
incenfer  helps  the  Pried  when  he  dreHeth  himfclf  m 
the  vedry,  and  the  two  ncoliti  do  help  the  deacon  and 
fubdeacon.  When  all  three  are  dred,  the  incenfer  2,x\^ 
two  acoliti  in  iheir  furplices,.  and  large  collars  round 
about  their  necks,  made  of  the  fame  duff  as  that  of 
the  Pried's  cafulla^  and  the  deacon  and  fubdeacon's 
haematic  as,  i.  e.  a  fort  of  cajuUa,  with  open  deeves,  I 
fay,  the  incenjer  puts  fire  in  the  incenfary,  and  the  aco^ 
Uti  takes  the  canciledicks  with  the  wax  candles  lighted, 
and  the  fubdeacon  takes  the  chalice  and  corporals,  and 
Itmaking  a  bow  to  the  crucifix  in  the  veftry,  they  go 

out 


If6  '^J  M  A  S  T  E  R-K  E  r 

out  into  tbe  church  to  the  great  altar.  There  is  tom^ 
jnonly  three  fleps  to  go  up  to  the  altar,  and  the  Pritll 
and  five  ^fliftants  do  kneel  down  at  the  firfl  ftep,  then 
leaving  the  incetife  and  acoliti  to  (lay  there,  the  Pritft, 
deacon  and  fubdtacon  go  up  to  the  altar's  table  and  all 
kneel  down  there  again.  The  fubdeacon  leaveth  the 
chalice  on  a  little  table  next  to  the  altar's  table  at  the 
right  hand,  and  then  they  turn  back  again  to  the  higheft 
ftep,  and  kneeling  down  again,  the  Prieft,  deacon  and 
fubdeacon  get  up,  leaving  the  incenfer  and  acoliti  on 
their  knees,  and  begin  the  Mafs  by  a  pfalm,  and  a^ter 
it  the  Prieft  fays  the  general  confeffion  of  fins,  to  which 
the  deacon  and  fubdeacon  anfwer  :  Mefereator  tui^  &c. 
Then  they  fay  the  general  confefiio^.  themfelves,  and 
after  it,  the  Pricfb  ab'folveth  them,  and  faying  another 
pfalm,  they  go  up  again  to  the  altar's  table,  which  the 
Prieft  kifTeth,  and  he  and  the  two  afiiftants  kneel  down, 
and  rife  again.  Then  the  incevfer  brings  the  incenfary 
and  incenfe,  and  the  Prieft  puis  in  three  fpoonfuls  ot  ir, 
and  taking  the  incenfary  from  the  deacon's  hands,  he 
incenfe?  three  times  the  tabernacle  of  the  Eucharijlia^ 
and  goes  twice  to  each  fide  of  it,  he  kneels  down  then, 
and  the  deacon  takes  up  the  hem  of  the  Prieft's  dsfulla^ 
and  fo  goes  frcm  the  middle  of  the  altar  to  the  right 
corner,  incenfing  the  table  and  returning  from  the 
corner  to  the  middle,  then  kneels  down  and  gets  up, 
and  goes  to  the  left  corner,  and  from  the  left  goes  a- 
gain  to  the  right  corner,  and  giving  the  incenfary  to 
the  deacon,  he  incenfes  three  times  the  Prieft,  and 
gives  the  incenfary  to  the  incenfer^  and  this  incenfes 
twice  the  deacon.  The  afiiftants  always  follow  the 
Prieft,  making  the  fame  motions  that  he  doth. 

The  incenfer  has  iheMiJfal  or  Mafs- book  ready  on 
th(  altar's  table  at  the  right  corner,  and  fo  the  Prieft 
tee-ins  the  pfalm  cf  the  Mais :  All  this  while  the  mufi- 
cians  are  finging  the  beginning  of  the  Mafs  till  kyrie 
etci/cny  and  when  they  have  finiftied,  the  Prieft  (ings 
thele  three  words;  Cioria  in  dcd/is  dso>     And  the 

muficians. 


to    F  O  P  E  R  r.  i6i 

tniiricians  fing  the  reft.  While  they  are  fingin^,  the 
Pricit,  deacon  and  fubdeacon,  making  a  bjw  to  che 
tabcrnicle,  g'^  to  fit  on  three  rich  chairs  at  the  righc 
hand  of  the  ara  or  altar's  table  ;  and  as  loon  as  the 
mufic  has  ended  the  gloria^  ihey  go  to  i\\^  middle  of 
the  table,  kneel  down,  and  get  up,  and  the  Frieft  kifT- 
ing  the  table  turns  to  the  people,  opening  his  arm<;, 
and  fays,  in  Latin^  The  Lord  be  with you^  to  whicli 
and  all  ocher  exprefllons  the  mufic  and  the  peoi  le 
anfwer  ;  then  turns  again  his  face  to  the  altar,  kneels 
down,  gets  up,  and  the  afTiftants  doing  the  fame,  the 
Pried  goes  to  the  right  corner,  and  fays  the  colletl  for 
the  day,  and  two  or  fometimes  five  or  fix  prayers  in 
commemoration  of  the  faints  *,  and  lail  of  all,  a  pray- 
er for  the  Pope,  King  and  Bifiiop  of  the  diocefs^ 
againft  Hereticks^  Infidels  and  enemies  of  their  religion, 
or  the  holy  Catholic  laith. 

Then  the  fubdeacon,  taking  the  book  of  the  epifHeSj^ 
and  gofptls,  goes  down  to  the  lowefl:  Hep,  and  fings 
the  eplftle,  which  ended,  he  goes  up  to  thi  Prieft,  kifT- 
eth  his  hand,  leaves  the  b  )ok  of  the  gofpels  on  the 
little  table,  takes  theAf^z/or  Mafs-book,  and  carrieth 
it  to  the  left  corner.  1  hen  the  pi  ieft  goes  to  the  mid- 
dle, kneds  down,  kifleth  the  aka',  fays  a  prayer,  and 
goes  to  fay  the  golpei,  while  the  niufick  is  finging  a 
plafm,  which  they  call  Tra5lus  gradualis.  The  gofpel 
ended,  the  Prieft  noes  again  to  the  middle,  kneels 
down,  rifeth  and  kifieth  the  table,  and  turns  half  to 
the  altar  and  half  to  the  people,  and  thedtacon,  giving 
him  the  incenfe-box,  he  puts  in  three  fpoonfuls  of  ir» 
and  blefi^es  the  incenfe  :  The  wcenjer  takes  it  from  the 
deacon,  who  taking  the  bo(;k  ot  the  gofpel,  kneels 
down  before  the  Prieft  and  afketh  his  bKffing  :  The 
Prieft  givcth  the  biefllng  and  the  deacon  kifies  his  hand, 
and  then  he  goes  to  the  left  corner  and  fings  the  gof- 
pel, viiz.  the  left  corner,  a3  to  the  people  of  the  church, 
but  as  to  the  altar,  it  is  the  righc.  While  rhe  deacon  fings 
the  gofpel,  the  Prieft  goes  to  the  oppofue  corner  and 

S  there 


there  (lands  till  the  gofpel  is  ended  :  Then  thcdecc^tl 
carricth  to  him  the  book  open,  and  the  Pried  k  Hing 
iiy  goes  to  the  middle  of  the  table  and  kneelino,  rifiiio;, 
tiffing  the  table,  the  afliflants,  doing  the  fame,  he  turns 
Ibis  face  to  the  people,  openeth  his  arms,  and  lavs 
again,  27?^  Lord  be  with  you.  Then  he  turns  again 
before  thi?  alta%  an  1  f:ys.  Let  us  pray,  Tne  mufic 
begins  the  cfferiory^  when  there  is  no  creed  to  be  fun[T, 
|br  there  is  no  creed  in  all  their  fcdivalj;. 

While  the  muficians  fing  the  cffertory.,  the  deacora 
prepares  the  chaliee,  that  is,  puts  the  wine  in  it,  and 
after  him,  the  fubdeacon  pours  in  three  drops  ot  wa- 
ter and  cleaning  nicely  the  mouth  of  the  cup,  ihe  dea- 
con gives  it  to  the  Fried,  who  takes  ic  in  his  hands, 
and  offering  it  to  the  eternal,  fets  it  on  the  clean  ccrpo^ 
rales ^  and  covers  ic  with  a  fmall  piece  of  fine  holland  : 
Then  he  fays  a  player,  and  putting  incenfe  in  the  in- 
cenfary,  as  before,  kneels,  and  then  riling,  incenfes  the 
table,  as  is  laid,  whi(  h  done,  the  fubdeacon  pourethi 
water  on  the|Priefl's  fore-fingers,  which  he  waditth  and 
wipeth  v»'ith  a  clean  towel,  and  after  returns  to  the 
middle  of  the  table,  and  after  fome  prayers,  he  begins 
to  flog  the  preface,  which  ended,  he  fays  fome  other 
prayers.  Before  tne  confecration,  he  joineth  his  tw3 
hands,  and  puts  them  before  his  face,  fhuts  his  eyes, 
and  examines  his  confcience  for  two  or  three  minutes  ; 
then  opening  his  eyes  and  arms,  fays  a  prayer,  and  be- 
gins the  confecration.  £\i  this  time  every  body  is  li- 
lent,  to  hear  the  wurds,  and  when  the  Pried  comfs  to 
pronounce  them,  he  fays,  with  a  loud  voice,  in  latin^ 
Hoc  efi  emm  corpus  mcum.  Then  he  leaves  the  confe- 
crattU  Hoil"  on  the  ora^  kneels  down,  and  getting  up» 
takes  a':^ain  the  Hod  with  his  two  thumbs  and  two 
foremod  finjjers,  and  lifts  it  v^\^^  as  high  as  he  can» 
that  evrry  b  )dy  may  fte  it,  srd  leaving  it  again  on  the 
fame  cra^  knrels  down,  and  then  lifing  up,  takes  the 
chalice,  and  after  he  has  confecrared  the  wine,  leaves  is 
©a  the  ara^  and  riitjrking  the  iaaic  ii.otioi^&  ^ad  buws» 

lie- 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  1^3 

fie  lif.s  it  np  as  he  did  the  FI  -ft,  and  placing  It  on  the 
ara,  covrcrcth  it,  and  with  the  lame  gellure:;,  he  lays  a 
prayer  in  rcmembrace  of  all  the  faints,  ail  parents,  rela- 
tions, iriends,  and  of  all  the-  fouls  in  purgatory,  but 
efpcciciUy  of  that  foul  i' )t  whom  the  laci  ifice  of  that 
M  ils  IS  ofF.-red  to  God  by  Jrfus  Chriit  himfrlh  I  lay, 
bv  Jcfus  Chrift  himfelf,  for  as  Chryfojlom  and  Ai^jk  * 
fay,  I  he  PrielV,  not  only  reprefentmg  Chrift,  but  im 
the  ad  of  celebrating  and  confecrating  is  the  very 
U  ne  Chritl  h^mfelf.  Thus  it  is  in  (Hl-  catechifm  pu>- 
lifli:'d  by  decree  of  the  council  of  Trent  f      ^ 

Betv/een  this  and  the  fumption,  or  the  takif^g.of  ihe 
H)ft,  and  drinkin;^  of  the  cup,  the  Prieft  fays  fonis 
prayers,  and  fangs  Our  Father,  in  Latin,  kneeling  down 
fcvral  times.  ^\Natn  he  c  )'nes  to  the  communion, 
he  breaks  the  Hoft  by  th-  middle,  l.aves  one  part  on 
the  table,  and  breaketh  off  the  othcfrhalf,  a  Ir.fle  piece, 
and  puts  it  into  the  cup;  this  done,  he  eateth  the  twa 
half  H'-)[t>,  and  drinketh  the  wine,  and  for  fear  that  anjr 
linall  fragm;?nts  (h  .'uid  remain  in  the  cup,  the  deacon 
puts  in  m)vc  wine,  and  the  Pii-ft  drinks  if  up,  and  go- 
ing to  the  corner  wth  the  chalice,  the  fubdeacon  pour- 
cth  water  upon  the  Pricft's  tv/o  thumbs  and  foremofl: 
fingers,  and  beina;  well  wafhed,  goes  to  the  middle  of 
the^table  and  drinks  up  the  water.  Then  the  deacon 
takes  the  cup  and  wipes  it,  and  putting  on  every  thing, 
as  when  they  came  to  the  altar,  gives  it  to  the  fubdea- 
con, who  leaves  it  on  the  little  tabl.^  near  the  altar. — • 
;Afterthisis  done,  the  Prieft,  kneeling  and  getting  up,, 
turning  to  the  people  and  Gp5:ming  his  arms,  fays,  Tbff' 

Lord 


*  Horn.  2.  in  zd,  Timoth,  and  Hom,   de  prod.   'Juda  Amh.  lib* 
4  de  (acram.   C.  4. 

f  Sed  unu?  etiam,  atque  idem  Sacerdcs  eft  Chr*.(lus  Doirinu"  5 
Nam  Miniltri  qui  Sactificium  faciunr,  non  fuam  Ted  Chrilli  per- 
fonam  accipiunt,  cum  ej'is  Corpus  and  Sanguinera  conficiunt,  id- 
quod  and  ipfiusConfecraiionis  Verbis  oftcndi  ur,  Sacerdos  irquir  : 
Hoc  eft  Corpus  meumn,  perfonem  videlicet  Chrifii  Domini  geiers, 
pnnis  and  tfidi  Subftantiam  ift  veraoi   ejtts  Corporis  «iAd  Siinguifli* 


i64  ^AMASrER'KET 

Z.ord  hewith you^  and  two  or  more  prayers  ;  and  1al| 
or  all,  the  gofpcl  of  St,  Jobn^  with  which  ht  tndeth  the 
Mafi  ;  fo  in  the  fame  order  they  went  out  of  the  veftry, 
they  return  into  it  again,  faying  a  prayer  for  the  fouls 
in  Purgatory.  After  the  Prieft  is  undreft,  the  incenfer 
and  acoliti  knt  el  down  before  him,  and  kifs  his  ru.  ht 
hand:  Then  they  undrefs  themfclves,  and  the  Pntft 
goes  to  the  humiliatory  to  give  God  thanks  for  all  his 
Benefits. 

The  fame  ceremonies,  motions  and  geftures  the 
Prieft  makes  in  a  private  Mafs,  but  not  fo  many  in  a 
Mifs  for  the  desd.  They  have  proper  Maizes  for  the 
holy  Trinity,  for  Chnft,  the  Vir^m  Mary^  Angtis,  apo- 
(lles  martyrs,  contefTurs,  virgins,  anc^  tor  the  dead,  the 
ornaments  for  this  lafl:  are  always  black.  This  is  a  true 
defcription  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  Mafs  :  Now  let  us 
give  an  account  of  the  means  the  Pritfts  make  ufc  of  for 
the  promjting  of  this  facr'fice,  anu  inc  cafing  their 
profit. 

The  cuftom,  on  rule  for  public  Mifles,  which  arc 
always  funp;,  is  this  -,  the  perfon  that  goes  to  the  clek 
^nd  afks  a  Mafs  to  be  fung,  carrieth.  at  lead,  fix  wax 
candles  which  burn  on  the  altar's  tabif,  wh.le  the  Mafs 
iafts,  and  a  good  ofi^cring  for  the  Prieft,  anc  bt fides  that, 
jnuft  give  the  charity,  which  is  a  crov-n,  and  the  fame 
for  a  Mafs  fung  for  the  dead ;  but  it  a  perlon  has  a 
fnind  to  have  a  Mafs  fung,  fuch  or  fuch  a  day  tor  ever, 
he  inyfl  give,  or  fettle  upon  the  chapter  or  ccnimuni- 
ty,  a  piltole  every  year,  and  thefe  are  caWcd  fell  led 
piaffes,  and  there  are  of  thefe  Maffes  in  every  parilh, 
chM:ch  and  convent,  moie  than  the  Priefts  and  PVyars 
can  fay  in  a  year-,  for  ever  fince  the  com^edy  of  the 
IViafs  began  to  be  ad-d  on  the  ftage  of  the  church, 
tht  bigots  of  it  fucceffively  have  fettled  Mafles  every 
year  -,  the  Priefts  and  Fryars  then  cannot  difcharge 
^heir  confciencc,  while  they  do  keep  the  people  igno- 
fant  ot  the  truth  of  the  matter. 

Thus  they  blind  the  people  :  Suppofe  to  be  in  a 

^orivcnt 


U    P  0  P  E  R  r.  t6s 

convent  lOO  Fryars,  Priefls,  and  that  in  tl.at  convent 
are  200  private  and  public  MafTes  fettled  every  day,  the 
chiirity  of  100  is  a  maniteft  fraud  and  robbery,  for  they 
do  receive  it,  and  cannot  fay  the  MafTes.  And  never- 
thelefs  they  accept  every  day  new  foundations  and  fet- 
tlements  of  Maflls  •,  for  if  the  people  alk  the  Dean,  or 
Piior,  whether  there  is  vacancy  for  a  Mais,  they  wili 
never  anfwer  no  •,  and  this  way  they  increafe  the  yearly 
rents  continually. 

This  is  to  be  underdood  of  the  chapter,  or  commu-' 
nity,  and  I  muft  fay  that  the  chapters,  and  parilh 
churches  are  not  fo  hard  upon  the  people,  as  the  con- 
vents of  Fryars  are,  though  they  are  not  fo  rich,  as  the 
communities  :  The  reafon  is,  becaufe  a  parifh  Pricft 
hath,  during  his  life,  his  tithes  and  book-money.  But 
a  Prior  of  a  convent  commands  that  community  only 
three  years,  therefore,while  the  office  laHs,  they  endea- 
vour to  make  money  of  every  thing.  I  knew  feveral 
Priors  very  rich  after  their  Priorfhip,  and  how  did  they 
get  riches,  but  by  blinding  and  cheating  the  people, 
exadling  money  for  MaiTes  which  never  were  faid,  nor 
fung,  nor  never  will  be  ? 

As  to  the  private  Priefts  and  Fryars,  and  their 
cheating  v/ays,  there  is  fo  much  to  be  faid  on  them 
that  I  cannot,  in  fo  fmall  a  book  as  this  is,  give  a  full 
account  of  all ;  fo  I  (hall  only  tell  the  mod  ufual  me- 
thods they  have  to  heap  up  riches  by  gathering  thou- 
fands  of  MafTes  every  year, 

ObfervefirLt  oi"  ail,  that  if  a  Pried  is  parifh  minider, 
or  Vicar,  he  has  every  day  of  the  year  certain  families, 
for  v/hofe  fouls,  or  for  the  fouls  of  iheir  ancedors,  he 
is  to  celebrate  and  offer  the  facrifice  of  the  Mafs.  And 
if  he  is  a  Fryar,  he  has  but  one  Mafs  every  week  left  to 
him,  for  fix  days  he  is  obliged  to  fay  Mafs  for  the  com- 
niunity  :  So. by  this  certain  rule,  a  paridi  minider  can- 
not in  confeience  receive  any  money  for  Mades,  when 
he  knoweth  that  he  cannot  fay  more  Maffrs,  than  thofe 
jTeukd  for  every  day  of  the  year  j  and  by  the  fame 


t6€  "J    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

rule,  aFryar  cannot  in  confcience  receive  more  mone^ 
than  for  52  MalPjs  every  year,  anJ  c^nieqiifncly  thole 
that  receive  more  are  deceivers  of  the  poor  ignoranc 
people,  robbers  of  their  money,  and  com  ni:  facriicgc 
in  lo  doing. 

And  that  they  take  more,  than  thev  in  jyftirc  can, 
ftail  appear  in  feveral  inftances.  Firll,  1  never  fa\7 
cither  iecular  or  regular  Pried  refufe  \.\\c  charjty  for 
a  Mafs,  when  a  Chriftian  foul  did  afk  them  kj  Uy 
it;  and  I  knew  hundreds  of  Priefls  mii^hty  cfHcii'U  in 
diking  Mades  from  all  forts  of  people.  Sccohdly,  in 
all  families  whatfbever,  if  any  one  is  dangeroufly  iick, 
there  are  continuallv  Fryars  and  Prieils  waiting  tdl 
the  perfon  dieih,  and  troubling  the  chief  of  the  family 
with  petitions  for  MafTes  for  the  loul  of  the  dead  •,  and 
if  he  is  rich,  the  cuftom  is,  to  dilfribuie  amono;  all 
the  convents,  and  parifhes  1000,  or  more  Mafies  to 
be  faid  the  day  of  the  burial  :  When  the  Mar- 
quifs  of  St.  Martin  died,  his  lady  diftributed  locooo 
IVlafTes,  fdfr  which  fhe  paid  the  very  fame  day  50CO 
pounds  fterling,  befides  )000  Mafies,  which  (he  fet- 
tled upon  all  the  convents  and  paiifh  churche5,  to  be 
faid  every  year  forever,  which  amounts  to  a  icoo 
pi  doles  a  year  for  ever. 

Thirdly,  The  Fryars,  mod  commonly,  are  rich,  and 
have  nothing  of  their  own  ;  (as  they  fay)  fome  are  af- 
fided  by  their  parents,  but  thefe  are  very  few  :  They 
give  two  thirds  of  whatever  they  get  to  the  commu- 
nity ;  and  in  fome  ftrid  orders  the  Fryars  ought  to 
give  all  to  the  convent  ;  neverthelefs,  they  are  never 
without  money  in  their  pockets,  for  all  Pjrts  of  diver- 
fions ;  an4  it  is  a  general  oblcrvation,  that  a  Fryar  at 
cards  is  a  relolute  man  ;  for  as  he  doth  not  work  to 
get  money,  or  is  fure  of  getting  more  if  he  lofeth,  he 
doth  not  care  to  put  all  on  one  card  •,  therefore  gen- 
tlemen do  not  venture  to  play  with  them,  fo  they  arc 
obliged  to  play  with  one  another. 

I  favv  fevcrai  Fryars,  who  had  nothing  in  the  world, 

but 


to     P  0  ?  E  R  r.  j6f 

but  the  allowance  of  their  communityr  and  the  charity 
vi  §z  Maflt-s  a  year,  to  venture  on  one  card  5a 
p'ftoles  :  -Another  to  lofe  200  piftoles  in  half  an 
)j  ur's  lime,  and  the  next  day  have  money  enough  to 
play.  And  this  is  a  thing  fo  well  known,  that  many  of 
ou.  officers  that  have  been  in  Spai/i^  can  certify  ihc 
truth  of  it,  as  eye- witnt lies. 

Now,as  to  the  method  they  have  to  pick  up  money 
for  f>  many  Mafies,  they  do  not  tell  it  •,  but  as  I  ne- 
ver was  b  .und  not  o  dilcover  ir,  and  the  difcovery  of  it, 
J  h->pe.  Will  be  v^ry  ufeful  to  the  Roman- catholics, 
though  difadvanta^cous  to  Prieils,  and  Fryars,  I  think 
mvfelf  ob!i^i,cd  in  ccnfcience,  ro  reveal  this  never  rc- 
v.-aled  tecrcc,  for  it  is  for  the  public  good,  not  only  of 
Prv')Ctflant5!,  who  by  this  fhall  know  thoroughly  the 
chcacs  of  the  Romijh  FriLils,  but  ot  the  Roman-each j- 
lies  too,  who  bellow  their  money  for  nothing  to  a  peo» 
pie  that  make  ufe  of  it  to  ruin  their  fouls  and  bodies. 

I' he  thing  is  this,  that  the  Fryars  are  fa'd  to  have  a 
privilege  trom  the  Pope  (I  never  i\w  luch  a  privilege 
myfclf,  though  I  did  ?il  my  endeavours  to  fea-ch  and 
fiad  it  out)  oi dicentenaria  mifftu  i.  e.  a  bnet  where  the 
P  pe  grants  them  the  privilege  of  faying  one  Maf>  ^or 
an  hundred  \  which  privilege  is  divulged  among  Priefls 
aid  Fryars,  who  keep  ic  in  fecret  among  themfelves  ; 
\o  that,  as  they  fay,  one  Mais  is  equivalent  to  an  hun- 
dred Mafies.  I  did  not  que{ll.;n  when  I  was  in  that 
communioi,  that  the  Pope  could  do  that  and  more,  but 
I  was  fufpicious  of  the  truth  of  fuch  a  grant.  Now 
rbfcrve,  that  bv  this  brief,  every  Fryar,  having  for 
himf.U  52  Mafll-s  free  every  year,  and  one  Mafs  being 
as  good  as  an  hundred,  he  may  get  the  charity  of  5200 
Mafles,  and  the  lead  charity  tor  every  Mai's  being  tw3 
leals  cf  pUte  :  i.  e.  Fourteen- pence  of  our  money,  he 
Kiay  get  near  300  poun:^  a  year. 

The  fecular  Pricib,  by  this  brief  o{  cevtennria  mijfa^ 
have  more  MafTe^,  than  the  private  Fryars  ;  tor  though 
Iht'j  luve  36^  ktdcd  Mal&s  to  %  in  2  year,  they  have, 

and 


m  "A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  T 

and  may  get  the  charity  of  99  Mafics  every  ^siy^ 
which  comes  to  three  millions,  fix  thoufand,  one  hun- 
dred, and  thirty- five  MalFcs  every  year.  In  the  con- 
vents that  have  120  Fryars,  and  feme  400,  the  Prior 
having  6  Mafles  every  week  from  each  of  his  Fryars, 
by  the  lame  rule,  the  Prior  may  have  millions  of  mil- 
lions of  Mailes. 

Hear  n^w,  how  they  do  amnfe  the  credulous  peo- 
ple. If  a  gentleman  or  gentlewoman,  or  any  other 
perfon  goes  to  church,  and  defires  one  Mafs  to  befaid 
for  fuch  or  fuch  a  foul,  and  to  be  prefent  at  it,  there  is 
always  a  Fryar  ready,  from  (ix  in  the  morning,  till 
one,  to  fay  Mafs.  He  takes  the  charity  for  it,  and  he 
goes  to  fay  it;  which  he  fays  for  that  foul,  as  I  fay  it 
now  :  For  till  fuch  time,  as  he  gets  the  charity  of  an 
hundred  Mafles,  which  is  above  5  pound  fterling,  he 
will  not  fay  his  own  Mafs,  or  the  Mafs  for  him.  And 
fo  the  rell  of  the  Fryars  do,  and  many  Priefts  too  : 
The  perfon  that  has  given  the  charity  and  has  heard 
the  Mafs,  goes  home  fully  fatisfied  that  the  Mafs  has 
been  faid  for  him,  or  to  his  intention. 

As  to  the  communities :  If  fome  body  dieth,  and 
the  executors  of  the  teftament  ao  to  a  Father  Prior, 
and  beg  of  him  to  fay  1000  Mafrv:s,vhe  gives  them  a 
receipt,  whereby  the  MafTes  are  fai^l  already  ;  for  he 
makes  them  believe,  that  he  has  more  Mafles  faid  al- 
ready by  his  Fryars  to  his  own  intention,  and  that  out 
of  the  number,  he  applies  looo  for  the  foul  of  the  dead 
perfon ;  fo  the  executors  upon  hi*  word,  take  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  Maflfes  which  they  want  to  fliew  to  the 
Vicar-General,  who  is  to  vifit  the  teftament,  and  fee 
every  fpiritual  thing  ordered  m  it,  accomplifhed  ac- 
cordingly. 

This  cuftom  of  afking  money  for  Maflc?,  is  not 
only  among  the  Fryers,  but  among  the  becitcis.  Nuns-, 
and  whores  too,  for  a  heata  with  an  aifedcd  air  of 
fandlity,  goes  up  and  down  to  vifit  the  fick,  and  afl^s 
betore-hand  many  Mafles  from  the  heads  of  families^ 

aiiedging 


h    P  0  P  E  R  r.  t60 

Siledging  that  by  her  prayers  &  fo  many  MafTcf^  the  fick 
may  be  recovered,  &  reftored  to  his  former  healtk  •,  but 
thefe,  if  they  ^et  money  for  MafTes,  rhey  give  it  to 
thfir  fpiritual  CmfelTors,  who  lay  them  as  the  Beata 
ordereth.  And  according  to  their  cuftom  and  bchcf, 
there  is  no  harm  at  all  in  fj  doing.  The  evil  is  in  the 
Nuns,  who  get  every  where  abundance  of  MalFcs,  on 
pretence  they  have  Priefts  and  Friars  of  their  relations, 
who  want  the  charity  of  MafTt-s.  And  what  do  they 
with  the  money  ?  Every  Nun,  having  a  Devoto,  or 
gallant  to  ferve  her,  defireth  him  to  fay  To  many  MalTes 
lor  her,  and  to  give  her  a  receipt  ;  he  promifcch  to  do 
it,  but  he  never  doth  fay  the  MafTes,  though  he  givetfa 
a  receipt  i  So  the  Nun  keeps  the  money,  the  Friar  is 
paid  by  her  in  an  unlawful  way,  the  people  are  cheat- 
ed, and  the  f(-.uls  in  purgatory  (if  there  wa<J  fuch  a 
place)  fhall  remain  there  forever,  for  want  of  relief. 

But  the  word  of  all  is,  that  a  public,  fcandalous  wo^ 
man  w.Il  gaiher  together  a  number  of  MafTes,  on  pre« 
tence  that  fhe  has  a  coufm  in  fuch  a  convent,  who  wants 
MafTeSj  !.  e.  the  charity  for  them.  And  what  ufe  do 
they  make  of  them  ?  This  is  an  abomination  to  the 
Lord.  They  have  many  Friars  who  vifit  them  unlaw- 
fully, and  pay  for  it  in  MalTes  •,  lo  the  worn  in  keeps 
the  money  in  payment  of  her  own  and  their  lins,  gets 
a  receipt  from  the  Friars,  and  thefe  never  Uy  the 
MafTes  ;  for  how  can  we  believe  that  fu^h  men  can  offer 
the  holy  facrifice  (as  they  call  the  Mafs)  for  mch  am 
ufe  ?  And  if  they  do  it,  which  is,  in  all  human  proba- 
bility, impofTible,  who  would  not  be  furprifcd  at  thefe 
proceedings  ?  Every  body  indeed. 

There  is  another  cuflom  in  the  church  of  RomCj, 
which  brings  a  great  deal  of  pnjfit  to  the  Pritfts  and 
Friars,  viz.  the  great  MafTirs  of  brotherhoods,  or  Fra- 
ternities. In  every  panfh  church,  and  efpccially  in  c- 
very  convent  of  Friars  and  Nuns,  there  is  a  number  of 
thefe  fraternities,!,  e.  corporations  of  tradefmen:  And 
every  corporation  has  a  fair^  for  their  advocate  or  pa^ 


170  ^;f    MASTER' KET 


I 


tron^  viz.  the  corporation  of  (hoc- makers  has  for  an 
advocacc  St.  Chrifpin  and  Chrifpinia\  the  butchers  St. 
Bartholomew^  &c.  and  fo  of  the  reft.  There  is  a  Prior 
of  the  corporation,  who  celebrates  the  day  of  their  ad- 
vocate with  a  folemn  Mafs,  mufic,  candles,  and^  after 
all,  an  entertainment  for  the  members  of  thefraternityj> 
and  ail  the  Friars  of  the  community.  To  this  the  cor-^ 
poration  gives  eight  dozen  of  white  wax  candles  to  il- 
luminate the  altar  of  their  patron,  when  the  folemn 
Mafs  is  fung,  and  whatever  remains  of  the  candles  goes 
to  the  convent.  The  Prior  payeth  to  the  community 
20  crowns  for  the  folemn  Mafs,  and  10  crowns  to  the 
muficians.  The  day  following  the  corporation  gives 
3  dozen  of  yellow  candies,  and  celebrates  an  anniver- 
fary,  and  have  many  Ma'fTes  fung  for  the  relief  of  their 
brethren's  fouls  in  purgatory  •,  for  every  Mafs  they  pay 
a  crown  :  And  bcfides  all  thefe,  the  corporation  has  a 
Mafs  fettled  every  Friday,  which  is  to  be  fung  for  the 
relief  of  the  brethren's  fouls,  for  which,  and  candles, 
the  convent  receiveth  6  crov/ns  every  Friday,  There 
is  HQt  one  church  nor  convent  without  two  or  three  of 
thefe  corporations  every  week  -^  for  there  are  faints  e- 
nough  in  their  church  for  it  ;  and  by  thefe  advocates  of 
the  Friars,  rather  than  of  the  members  of  the  corpora- 
tion, every  body  may  form  a  right  judgment  of  the 
riches  the  Priefts  and  Friars  get  by  thefe  means. 

One  thing  I  cannot  pafs  by,  though  it  has  no  rela- 
tion with  the  main  fubjedl  of  the  Mafs  ^  and  this  is, 
that  after  the  folemn  Mafs  is  finilhcd,  the  Prior  of  the 
corporation,  with  his  brethren,  and  the  Prior  of  the  con- 
vent, with  his  Friars,  go  all  together  to  the  Refe5lor}\ 
or  common-hall,  to  dinner.  There  they  make  rare 
demonftrations  of  joy,  in  honor  of  the  advocate  of  that 
corporation.  The  Prior  of  the  convent  makes  a  (horc 
fpeech  before  dinner,  recommending  to  them  to  eat  and 
drink  hcartily,for  after  they  Jbave  paid  all  the  honor  and 
reverence  to  their  advocate  that  is  due,  they  ought  to  eat 
and  drink  and  be  merry  :  So  they  drink  till  they  arc 
happy,  though  not  drunk,  ^ 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  lyt 

I  heard  a  pleafant  ftory,  reported  in  town,  from  a 
faithful  perfon,  who  afiured  me  he  law,  himfelf,  a  Friar 
come  out  of  the  Refectory  at  8  at  night,  and  as  he  came 
out  of  the  convent's  gate,  the  moon  fhining  that  night,&.- 
the  Ihadow  of  the  houfe  being  in  the  middle  of  the  Itreet, 
the  merry  Friar  thinkingthat  the  light  of  the  moon,  in  the 
other  half  part  of  the  fireetwas  water,  he  took  off  his 
jQioes  and  ftockings,  and  fo  did  walk  till  he  reached  the 
ftiadow  ;  and  being  afked,  by  my  friend,  the  meaning 
of  fuch  extravagant  folly,  the  Friar  cried  out,  A  mira- 
cle !  A  miracle !  The  gentleman  thought  that  the  Friar 
was  mad  ;  but  he  cried  the  more,  A  miracle,  A  miracle, 
fFhere  is  the  miracle  ?  (the  people  that  came  to  the 
windows  afked  him)  •,  I  came  this  minute  through  this  ri- 
*Der  (faid  he)  and  I  did  not  wet  the  foles  of  my  feet  •,  and 
then  he  defired  the  neighbours  to  come  and  be  witnef- 
fes  of  the  miracle.  In  fuch  a  condition  the  honor  of 
the  advocate  of  that  day  did  put  the  reverend  Friars ; 
and  this  and  the  like  effe6ls  fuch  feftivals  occafion, 
both  in  the  members  of  the  convents  and  corporation. 

Now  I  come  to  the  means  and  perfuafions,  the  Fri- 
ars make  ufe  of  for  the  extolling,  and  praifing  this  in- 
cftimable  facrifice  of  the  Mafs,  and  the  great  ignorance 
of  the  people  in  believing  them..  Firfb  of  all,  as  the 
people  know  the  debaucheries  and  lewd  lives  of  many 
Friars  and  Priefts,  fometimes  they  are  loth  to  deHre  a 
fmful  Friar  to  fay  Mafs  for  them,  thinking  that  his 
Mais  cannot  be  fo  acceptable  to  God  Almighty,  as 
that  which  is  faid  by  a  Pried  of  good  morals  :  So  far 
the  people  are  illuminated  by  nature  ;  but  to  this, 
Prit^fts  and  Friars  make  them  believe,  that  though  a 
Pried  be  the  grcatcd  fmner  in  the  world,  the  facrifice 
is  of  the  fame  efficacy  with  God,  dnce  it  is  the  facrifice 
made  by  Chrid  on  the  Crofs  for  all  finners  \  and  that  it 
was  fo  declared  by  the  Pope,  and  the  council  of 
^rent. 

Put  it  together  with  what  the  fame  council  declares, 
that  the  Pned  doth  not  only  reprefent  Chrid  when  h.e 

ofFereth 


"172  "^l    MASTER' KET 

ofFcreth  the  facrifice,  but  that  he  is  the  very  perfon  ef 
Chrifl  at  that  time,  and  that  therefore  David  calls 
thtm  Chrifts,  by  thefe  words  ;  Nolite  tangere  Chriftos 
fneos.  O  extrcrable  thing  1  If  the  Prieft  is  the  very 
C  hrift  in  the  celebration  of  the  Mafs,  how  can  he  at 
the  fame  time  br  a  finner  ?  It  being  certain  that  Chrift 
knew  no  fin  :  And  if  that  Chrift  Pritft,  offering  the 
iacrificcjs  in  any  adiinl  mortal  fin,  how  can  the  facrifice 
or  the  Mafs,  which  is  (as  to  themj  the  fame  facrifice 
Chrift  did  offer  to  his  eternal  Father  on  the  Crofs,  be 
efficacious  to  the  expiation  of  the  fins  of  all  people  ? 
For,  in  the  firft  place,  that  facrifice  ofiered  by  a  Pneft- 
Chrift,in  an  adlual  mortal  fin,  cannot  be  an  expiation  of 
the  fin,  by  which  the  Prieft  is  ipiritually  dead.  Se- 
condly, if  the  Chrift  Prieft  is  fpirituaily  dead  by  that 
mortal  fin,  how  can  fuch  a  Prieft  offer  a  lively  fpiritual 
facrifice  ?  We  muft  conclude  ehen,  that  the  Priefts,  by 
fuch  blafphemous  exprefiluns,  not  only  deceive  the  peo- 
ple, but  rob  them  of  their  money,  and  com.mit  a  high 
crime,  but  that  the  facrifice  he  offers  is  really  of  no 
cfftdb,  or  efficacy  to  the  relief  of  the  fouls  in  the  pre- 
tended purgatory. 

From  what  has  been  fald  it  appears,  that  the  Priefts 
and  Friars  rrjake  ufe  ct  whatever  means  they  can  to 
cheat  the  people,  to  gratific  their  paffions  and  increaf^ 
their  treafure.  For  what  cheat,  fraud  and  roguery 
can  be  greater  than  this  of  the  centenaria  mijja  with 
which  they  fuck  up  the  m(9ney  of  poor  and  rich,  with- 
out performing  what  they  do  proniife  ? 

h  the  Pope's  privilege  for  that  hundred- Mafs  was  re- 
ally true,  natural  reafon  fhews,  it  was  againft  the  pub-  • 
lie  good,  &  therefore  ought  not  to  be  made  ufe  of :  For 
by  it,  Friars  and  Priefts  will  never  quench  their  thirft  of 
money  and  ambition,  till  they  draw  to  them  the  riches 
ot  Chriftcndom,  and  by  thefe  means,  they  will  wrong 
the  fuppofed  fouls  in  purgatory,  and  ruin  their  own 
too.  Decency  in  the  faccrdotal  ornaments  is  agreeable 
Jo  God  our  Lord,  but  vanity  and  profanenels  is  an 

abominatioi]^ 


io    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


'73 


abomination  before  him.  Of  what  ufe  can  all  the 
riches  of  their  churches  and  ornam.-nts  be  ?  To  make 
the  facrifice  of  the  Mais  more  efficacious,  it  cannot 
be  for  ;  the  efficacy  of  it  proceeds  from  Chrift  himfelf, 
•who  made  ufe  of  diff-'rent  ornaments,  thai  thofe  the 
Priefts  m  ike  ufe  of.  N  jr  is  it  to  fatisfy  their  own  ambi- 
tion ;  for  they  could  get  more  by  (aving  of  them  ;  it 
is  only  to  make  M  (Irefs  Mafs  the  m  )re  admired,  and 
gain  the  whole  people  to  be  her  followers  and  cou- 
riers. 

O  that  the  Roman  laity  would  confider  the  weight  of 
thele  Chriftian  obfcrvations,  and  if  they  will  not  believe 
them  becaufe  they  arc  mine,  I  heartily  be^;  of  them  all, 
to  make  p  ous  and  ferious  refledli  )ns  upon  themthem- 
felvcs,  to  examine  the  defignsot  the  Priefts  and  Friars, 
to  mind  their  lives  and  converfacions,  to  obferve  their 
works^  to  caft  up  accounts  every  year,  and  fee  how 
much  of  their  fubllance  goes  to  the  clergy  and  church 
for  Maflcs  :  Sure  I  am,  they  will  find  out  the  ill  and 
ambitious  d'-figns  of  their  fuiritual  guides:  They  will 
experience  their  lives  not  at  all  (moll  commonly)  an- 
Iwerable  to  their  chara6lers,  and  facerdocal  fu^.dions  ; 
and  m.>re,  their  own  fubftances  and  cftates  diminiffied 
every  year  :  Many  (;f  their  families  corrupted  by  the 
wanton nefs,  their  underftandings  blinded  by  the  craft, 
their  fouls  in  the  way  to  hell  by  the  wicked  dodlrines, 
and  their  bodies  under  fuffcrings  by  the  needlefs  impo- 
fitions  of  P'  ielfs  and  Fnars. 

They  will  find  alfo,  that  the  pomp  and  brightnefs  of 
a  folemn  Mafs,  is  only  vanity  to  amufe  the  eyes,  and  a 
cheat  to  rob  the  purfe.  That  the  centerjaria  mijja  never 
known  to  them  before,  is  a  trick  and  invention  of 
Priefts  and  Friars  to  dtiude  and  deceive  them,  and  by 
that  means  impoverifh  and  weaken  them,  and  make 
themftlvcs  mailers  of  all. 

They  will  come  at  lad  to  confider  and  believe,  that 
ihe  R  )man  Gachoiic  congregations,  ruled  and  govern- 
ed by  Pncits  aad  Friar?,  do  fia  againil  the  Lord  : 


174  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

I.  e.  The  fpiritual  heads  do  commit  abomination  before 
the  Lord,  and  that  they  cannot  profper  here  nor  here- 
after, if  they  do  not  leave  off  their  wicked  ways. 
Pray  read  the  fifth  chapter,  the  fcvcnteenth  verfe,  and 
the  following,  of  Judith  ;  and  you  fhall  find  the  cafe 
and  the  truth  of  my  lafl  propofition.  JVhile  (faith  he) 
thefe  people  finned  not  before  their  God^  they  projperedy  be- 
caufe  the  God  that  hateth  iniquity  was  with  them.  But 
when  they  departed  from  the  way ^  that  he  appointed  them^ 
they  were  dejiroyed.  This  was  fpoken  of  the  Jews^  but 
we  may  underftand  it  of  all  nations,  and  efpecially  ot 
the  Romans^  who  are  very  much  of  a  piece  with  the 
Jews  of  old,  or  no  better.  We  fee  the  Priefts  departed 
irom  the  way,  that  he  appointed  them.  What  can 
they  exped:  but  deftrudlion,  if  they  do  not  leave  olf 
their  wickednefs,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord  ?  And  the 
word  is,  that  the  innocent  laity  will  fufFcr  along  with 
them,  tor  God  punifheth,  as  we  fee  in  the  Old  Tcfta- 
ment,  a  whole  nation  for  the  fins  of  their  rulers.  And 
it  is  to  be  feared  the  fame  will  happen  to  the  Roman 
church,  for  the  l;ns  of  their  Priefts,  God  enlighten 
jthem.     Amen. 

A  R  T  I  C  L  E    II. 

Of  the  privileged  alt  sir* 

A  PRIVILEGED  altar  is  the  altar  to  which  (or 
to  fome  image  on  it)  the  Pope  has  granted  a 
privilege  of  fuch  a  nature,  that  whoibever  fays  before  it, 
or  before  the  image,  fo  many  pater  nojlers,  &c.  and  fo 
mzny  ave  Maria'Sy  with  gloria  patri,  &c.  obtains  re- 
miflion  of  his  fins,  or  relieveth  a  foul  out  of  purgatory  : 
Or  whoever  ordereth  a  Mafs  to  be  faid  on  the  ara  of 
fuch  an  altar,  and  before  the  image,  has  the  privilege 
(as  they  believe)  to  take  out  of  purp;atory  that  foul  for 
which  the  facrifice  of  the  Mafs  is  offered. 

The  Cardinals,  Patriarchs,  Primates,   Archblfhops 

and 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T. 


27; 


and  Bifliops,  can  grant  to  any  image  forty  days  of  full 
and  free  indulgence,  and  15  quarantains  of  pardon, 
for  thofe  that  vifit  the  faid  image,  and  fay  fuch  a  prayer 
before  it,  as  they  have  appointed  at  the  granting  of 
fuch  graces  :  So  not  only  the  images  of  the  altars  in  the* 
church,  but  feveral  images  in  the  corners  of  the  ftrects, 
and  on  the  highway,  have  thofe  graces  granted  to  them 
by  the  Bifhop  of  the  dioccfs  :  Nay,  the  beads  or  rofary 
of  the  Virgin  Mary^  of  fome  confiderable  perfons,  have 
the  fame  grants  :  And  what  is  yet  more  furprifing,  the 
pidure  of  St.  Anthony^  pig,  which  is  placed  at  the  faint's 
feet,  has  the  granting  of  fifteen  quarantains  of  pardon 
of  fins  for  thofe  that  vifit  and  pray  before  him.  Whac 
the  people  do  on  St.  Martin'^  day,  I  Ihail  tell  in  ano- 
ther chapter. 

I  will  not  difpute  now,  whether  the  Pope  and  Bifiiops 
have  authority  to  grant  fuch  privileges  -,  but  I  only  fay, 
that  I  do  not  believe  fuch  a  dream  :  For  the  Pope  has 
ufurped  the  fupremacy  and  infallabiiity,  and  his  ambi- 
tion being  fo  great,  he  never  will  difpoffefs  himfelf  of  a 
thing  by  which  he  makes  himfelf  more  fupreme,  infal- 
lible, and  rich  ;  by  keeping  all  thofe  graces  in  his  own 
hands,  he  would  oblige  all  the  bigots  to  feek  after  him, 
pay  him  for  them,  and  have  him  in  more  veneration 
than  otherwife  he  would  be  in. 

Thtfe  privileges  are  a  great  furtherance  to  carry  on 
the  ecclefiaftical  interefls,  and  to  bring  the  people  to 
offer  their  prayers  and  money,  and  to  be  blinded  and 
deceived  by  thofe  papal  inventions.  But  becaufe  I  have 
already  treated  of  thefe  privileges,  I  proceed  to  the 
third  article.- 


"h^^f^mmsmi^my^^^^^^s^i^o^ 


ARTICLE 


%7«  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  f 

ARTICLE     HI. 

0/  Tranfuhfiantlation^  or  the  Eucharijf. 

1  SHALL  fiy  notfiing  touching  the  fcholaftlcaj 
opinions  ot  the  Romijh  chuich  about  the  facrament 
ol  the  Eucharift,  or  the  real  preleni  eot  Jcfus  Chiift  in 
it;  for  thele  are  well  known  by  our  learned  and  well 
inftiudcd  laity:  So  I  will  confine  mylclf  wholly  to 
their  pra6l'ccs  in  the  adminiftration  of  this  facrannentj, 
and  the  wo'  (hip  paid  to  it  by  the  Priefts  and  Laity  5 
and  what  Grange  notions  the  preachers  do  put  in  the 
people's  heads  about  it. 

Firft,  as  to  the  adminiftration  of  this  ficrament,  a6lu- 
al  or  habitual  intention  being  nectflaiy  in  a  Prieft,  to 
the  validity  and  efficacy  of  the  facrament,  open  con» 
feflion  and  repentance  of  his  fins-:  He  goes  to  confe- 
crate  thir  bread  and  wine,  and  (as  they  fay,  believe, 
and  make  the  people  believe)  with  five  words  they 
oblige  Jefu  Chrifl  todefcend  from  Heaven  to  theHofI: 
with  his  body,  i  ul  and  divinity,  and  that  fo,  he  remains 
there  as  High  and  almighty  as  he  is  in  Heaven^;  which 
they  endeavour  to  Cfipfirm  with  pretended  miracles  j 
faying,  that  many  Prit-fts  of  [ure  lives  havefeen  a  little 
boy,  in  (lead  of  a  wafer,  in  the  con  fee  rated  Hoft,  6cc. 

In  winter,  twice  every  month,  and  in  fummer,  every 
week,  the  Prieft  is  to  con  it  crate  one  great  Hoft,  and  a 
quantity  ot  fmall  on.  s  :  Which  they  do  in  the  folL  w- 
ing  manner.  After  the  Prieft  has  confecrated  the 
great  &  fm  '11,  befides  the  Hoft  which  he  is  to  receive 
himfeli,  the  Priefts  of  the  panfh,  or  Friars  of  the  con- 
vent, come  in  iwo  iires,  with  wax  candles  lighted  in 
their  hards,  and  kneel  down  b  fore  the  altar,  and  be- 
gin to  finii  an  hymn  and  anthem  to  the  facrament  of 
the  altar(ro  it  is  called  by  them  ;  •,  then  the  Pritftopen-. 
cth  the  tabernacle  where  the  old  great  Hoft  is  kept  be- 
tween two  chriftals,  and  takes  out  of  the  tabernacle  the 
iuftediuy  and  a  cup  of  fmall  confecrated  v/afcrs,  and 


to    r  u  r  r.  jx.  jr.  177 

iHits  them  on  the  table  of  the  altar  ;  then  he  takes  the 
great  old  Hoft,  eats  it,  and  {o  he  does  thefmall  ones  j 
t  h  en  he  puts  the  new,  great,  confecrattd  Hoft  between  the 
two  cryftais  ot  tht'cttjlodia^  and  the  new  fmail  ones  in- 
to the  communion  cup  ;   becaiife  the   fmail  ones  ferve 
the  common  people.     Then  he  inccnfes  the  great  Hoft: 
on  his  knees,  and  having  a  white,  neat  towel  round  his 
neck,  with  the  ends  of  it  he  takes  the  cufiodia.  and  turns 
to  the  people  and  makes  the  figure  of  a  crofs  before  the 
people,  and  turning  to  the  altar,  puts  the  cufiodia  and 
the  cup  of  the  fqiall  wafers  in  the  tabernacle  and  lock- 
eth  the  door,  and  the  Priefts  go  away. 

The  reafon  why  the  great  Hoft  and  the  fmail  ones  ar-e 
renewed  twice  a  month  in  winter,  and  every  week  in 
fummer  (as  they  fay)  is  (mind  this  reafon,  for  the  fame 
is  againft  them)  becaule  in  fummer,  by  the  exceftivc 
heat,  the  Hoft  may  be  corrupted  and  putrified,  and  pro- 
duce worm.s,  v'hich  linany  times  has  happened  to  the 
great  Hoft,  as  I  mylelf  have  feen.  So  to  prevent  this, 
they  confecrate  every  week  in  fummer-time  5  but  in 
winttr,  which  is  a  more  favourable  tim.e  to  preferve  the 
Hoft  from  corruption,  only  once  in  a  fortnight. 

If  Chrift  is  then  in  the  Hoft  with  his  body,  foul  and 
divinity,  and  David  fays,  that  the  ^o[y  One^  i  e.  (Chrift 
who  is  God  bitfTed  tor  evermore)  Never  Jh  all  fee  cor- 
ruption.  How  comes  it,  that  that  Holi:,  that  h  ly  one^ 
that  Chrift,  is  fometimes  corrupted  and  putrified  ? 
The  (ubftance  of  biead  being  only  fubjt£t  to  corrup- 
tion, being  vaniftied,  and  the  body  of  Jefus  Chrift  fub- 
itituted  in  its  place,  this  body  by  a  juft  inference  is 
corrupted  ;  which  is  asainft  the  fcripture^  and  againft: 
the  divinity  of  jefus  Chrift* 

.  Again,  I  afk,  whether  the  worms,  engendered  in  that 
Hoit,  comie  out  of  the  real  body  of  Chrift,  or  out  of 
the  material  fubftance  of  the  Hoft .?  If  out  of  the  body 
of  Chrift  :  Every  body  may  infer  from  this  the  confe- 
quences  his'own  fancy  fuggefts.  And  if  they  Jay,  that 
the  wormjs  are  engendered  in  the  material  fubflance  of 


'jyi  A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  T 

bread;  then  the  fubftancc  of  the  bread  remains  after  the 
confscration,  and  not,  as  they  fay,  the  real  fubllance 
of  the  body  of  Ghrifl. 

Again,  It  is  a  rule  given  by  all  the  Cafuifls,  that 
that  Hod  muft  be  eaten  by  the  Prieft.  I  do  a£k  the 
Prieft  that  eats  the  Hod  v/ith  the  worms,  whether  he 
belicvcth  that  Hoil  and  worms  to  be  the  real  body  of 
Chriil,  or  not  ?  If  he  fays,  no  :  V/hy  doth  he  eat  it  to 
the  prejudice  of  his  owrt- health  ?  And  if  he  believeth 
k  to  be  the  real  body  of  Chrifl.,  I  do  aflc  again,  whe- 
ther the  worms  are  Chrid,  with  body,  foul  and  divinityg 
or  not  ?  If  they  are  not,  I  give  the  faid  indance  :  And 
if  they  anfwer  in  the  adirmative  j  then  I  fay,  that  a 
Pried  did  not  eat  the  Hod  and  worms,  ^as  I  faw  myfelf) 
on  pretence  of  the  loathing  of  his  ftomach,  and  after 
the  Mafs  was  ended,  he  carried  the  Hod,  (two  Prieds 
accc  mpanying  him  with  two  candles)  and  threw  it  into 
a  place,  whrch  they  call  Pijcina^  a  place  where  they 
throw  the  dirty  water  after  they  wadi  their  hands^ 
which  runs  out  of  the  church  into  the  drcet.  What 
can  We  lay  now?  If  the  worms  and  corrupted 
Hod  is  the  real  body  of  Chrid,  fee  what  a  value  thej? 
have  for  him,  when  they  throw  it  away  like  dirty  wa- 
ter ;  and  if  that  Hod  comes  out  cf  the  running  pifcina 
into  the  dreet,  the  fird  dog,  or  pig  pading  by  (which 
is  very  common  in  Spain)  may  eat  it»  And  if  they  are 
not,  beddes  the  faid  indance  of  eating  it  to  the  prejudice 
of  their  health,  we  may  add  this  :  Namely,  Why  do 
the  Pried  and  two  more  carry  the  Hod  in  form  of  pro- 
cedion  and  with'fo  great  veneration,  with  lights  and 
pfa]ms,'as;il  ie  was  the  real  body  of  Chrid  ?  * 

Now,  as  to  the  way  of  adminidring  the  facrament 
to  the  people,  they  do  it  in  the  follA)wing  manner,  which 
il  alfo  againd  their  fantadical  tranfubdantiation.  I 
Aid  that  the  Pried,  or  Friar  confecrates  fmall  Hods  once 
a  week,  to  give  them  to  the  people  when  they  go  to 
receive.  The  Pried  in  his  furplice  and  with  the  J^olds 
t)n,  goes  to  the  altar,  fayi  the  prayer  of  the  facrament, 

openeth 


•f  c?    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


79 


-openeth  the  tabernacle,  and  taking  out  of  it  the  cup, 
opens  it,  and  turning  to  the  communicants,  takes  one 
of  the  v;afers  with  his  thumb,  and  the  foremoit  finger 
of  his  .right  hand,  litts  it  up,  and  fays  :  Seg  the  Lamt?  cf 
God  that  taketh  away  the  fins  of  the  worlds  which  he  re- 
peats three  times  ;  and  after  goes  tlraightway  to  tl)^ 
communicants,  and  puts  a  wafer  into  each  of  their 
mouths.  When  all  have  received,  he  puts  the  cup  a- 
gain  into  the  tabernacle,  and  goes  to  the  veflry.  This 
is  when  the  people  receive  before  or  after  Mafs,  buc 
when  they  do  receive  at  Mafs,  the  Prieft  confecrates 
for  himfelf  a  great  Hod,  and  after  he  has  eaten  it,  hs 
takes  the  cup  out  of  the  tabernacle,  and  gives  the  Imall 
wafers,  confecrated  before  by  another  PrieU,  to  the  com- 
municants, and  putting  again  the  cup  into  the  tabernj^ 
c\Cy  or  Jacrarium  (as  they  call  it)  drinks  jhe  confecrated 
wine  himfelfo 

I  will  not  fpend  my  time  in  proving,  that  the  deny- 
ing of  the  chalice  to  the  laity  is  a  manifcil  error,  and 
thar  it  is  only  to  extol  and  raife  the  ecclefiaftical  djcr- 
nity  to  the  higheft  pitch  :  But  I  come  to  their  ridicU" 
lous,  nonfcnfical  practices  in  feveral  accidental  ca^es, 
viz.  Firft,  I  myfeif  gave  the  facrament  to  a  lady,  who 
had  on  that  day  a  new  fuit  of  clothes  ;  but  ihe  did  not 
open  her  mouth  wide  enough  to  let  the  wafer  on  her 
tongue,  and  by  my  carelefTnefs  it  fell  upon  one  of  her 
(leeves,  and  from  thence  to  the  ground  ;  I  did  order 
her  not  to  quit  the  place,  till  I  had  done  j  ^o^  afuer  the 
communion  was  over,  I  went  to  her  again,  andcuttino 
a  piece  of  the  fleevc,  v^here  the  water  had  touched, 
and  fcratching  the  ground,  I  took  both  the  piece  and 
dull,  and  carried  them  to  the pifcina,  but  I  was  lufpend- 
ed  ab  officio  and  beneficio  for  eight  days,  as  a  puniOi- 
ment  for  my  diftradlion,  or  for  not  minding  well  my 
bufinefs.  By  this  rule  and  cuftom  of  throwing  into 
thepifcij7a,  among  the  dirty  water,  everything  that  the 
Holt  has  touched,  they  ought  to  throv/  the  fingers  of 
the  Prieft,  or  at  lead  the  tongues  of  men  and  women, 

iiito 


ilo  j1    M  A  S  T  E  R^K  E  2' 

into  the  fame  place,  and  thus,  their  tricks  and  fnperflU 
tious  ceremonies,  never  would  be  difcovered  nor* 
fpread  abroad.  How  inconfifcent  this  cuitom  is  with 
yight  fenfc  and  reafon,  every  body  may  fee. 

Secondly.  In  the  Dominicans  convent  it  happened, 
that  a  lady  who  had  a  lap-dog,  which  (he  always  uled  to 
carry  along  with  her,  went  to  receive  the  lacrament  with 
the  dog  under  her  arm,  and  the  dog  looking  up  and 
beginning  to  bark  when  the  Friar  went  to  put  the  wa- 
fer in  the  lady's  mouth,  he  let  the  wafer  rail,  which 
happened  to  drop  into  the  dog's  mouth.  Both  the  Fri- 
ar and  the  lady  were  in  a  deep  amazement  and  conru- 
fion,  and  knew  not  what  to  do  •,  fo  they  fent  tor  the 
reverend  Father  Prior,  who  did  refolve  this  uice  point 
upon  the  fpot,  and  ordered  to  call  two  Friars  and  the 
clerk,  and  to  bring  the  Crofs,  and  two  candleilicks  with 
candles  lighted,  and  to  carry  the  dog  in  form  of  pro- 
cefiion  into  the  veftry,  and  keep  the  poor  little  crea- 
ture there  with  illuminations,  as  if  he  was  theHoft  it- 
fclf,  till  the  digeftion  of  the  waller  was  over,  and  then 
to  kill  the  dog  and  throw  it  into  the  p^fcin a.  Another 
Friar  faid,  it  was  better  to  open  the  dog  immediately, 
and  take  out  the  fragments  ot  the  Hoft  •,  and  a  third 
was  of  opinion,  that  ti-ie  dog  (hould  be  burnt  upon 
the  fpot.  The  lady  who  loved  ck-aily  her  Cupid  (this 
was  the  dog's  name)  entreated  the  Father  Prior  to  fave 
the  dog's  life,  if  pciTible,  and  that  fhe  would  give  'any- 
thing to  make  amends  for  it.  Then  the  Prior  and  Fri- 
ars retiied  toconfult  what  to  do  in  this  cafe,  and  it  was 
refolved,  that  the  doe  fhould  be  called  for  the  future, 
£/  perillo  del  fncramento^  i.  e.  The  facrament's  dog. 
2.  That  if  the  dog  (hould  happen  to  die,  the  lady  was 
to  give  him  a  burying  in  coniecrated  ground.  3.  Tha€ 
the  lady  fhould  take  care  not  to  let  the  dog  play  with 
other  dogs.  4.  That  fliC  was  to  give  a  filvcr  dog, 
which  was  to  be  placed  upon  the  tabernacle  v^^here 
Vhe  Hofts  are  kept.  And,  5.  That  fhe  fhould  give 
^Wency  pifloks  to  the  conyent.     Every  article  was  pev- 

formedl 


fa    P  0  P  E  R  r.  181 

formed  accordingly,  and  the  dog  was  kept  with  agreafi 
deal  of  care  and  veneration.  The  cafe  was  printed, 
and  fo  came  to  the  ears  of  the  Inqnifitors,  and  Doa 
Pedro  Guerrero  ?ix\i  Inquifitor,  thinking  the  thing  very 
fcandalous,  fent  for  the  poor  dog,  and  kept  him  in  the 
inquifition  to  the  great  grief  of  the  lady  :  What  be- 
came of  the  dog  nobody  can  tell.  This  cafe  is  worthy 
to  be  refleded  on  by  ferious,  learned  men,  who  may 
draw  confcquences  to  convince  the  Romans  o^  i\\tio\X\QSy 
covetoufnefs,  and  fuperftitions  of  the  Priefts. 

This  I  do  aver,  that  after  this  cafe  was  publinied,  it 
was  difputed  on  in  all  the  moral  acadamies  ♦,  but  as  I 
cannot  tell  all  the  fentiments  and  refolutions  of  them,  I 
will  confine  myfclf  to  thois  of  the  academy  of  the  holy 
trinity,  wherein  I  was  prelent,  when  the  ca!e  was  propo- 
fed  by  the  prefident,  in  the  followin*;  terms  : 

Mofl  reverend  and  learned  brethren,  the  cafe  of  the 
dog  (blafphemoufly  called  the  facrament's  dog)  defervcs 
your  application  and  fcarching,  which  ought  to  be  car- 
ried on  with  a  wife,  Chri(fian  and  folid  way  of  arguing, 
both  in  this  cafe,  or  any  other  like  it.     For  my  part,  I 
am  furprifed  when  I  think  of  the  irregular,  unchriftian 
method,  the  Priors  and  Friars  did  take  in  the  cafe,  and 
both  the  cafe  and  their  rtfolution  call  for  our  mature 
confideration.     Thanks  be  to  God,  that    our   people 
give  full  obedience  to  our  mother  the  church,  a^nd  that 
they  inquire  no  further  into   the  matter,   alter  fome  of 
our  teachers  have  advifed  them  ;  otherwife  the  honor 
and  reputation  of  our  brethren  would  be  quite  ruined. 
For  my  part  (fahafide)  I   think,  that  upon   the  fame 
cafe,  the  Prieft  ought  to  let  the  thing  drop  there,  and 
to  take  no  further  notice,  rather  than   to  give  occafjon 
to  fome   criticks  to    fcandalize,   and  to    laugh  at  the 
whole  clergy.     Pefides,  that   it  is  to  abate  the  incom- 
parable value  of  the  Euchurifiia^  and  to  make  it  ridicu- 
lous before  good,  fenfible  men.     Thus   the  prefident 
fpoke  ;  and  15  members  of  the  academy  were  of  his 
Ippinion.     One  of  the  members  faid,   that  being  cer- 
tain 


j8£  A  M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

tain  that  the  dog  had  eaten  the  real  body  and  blood  of 
Jelus  Chriil,  the  Pritfl,  after  the  communion  was  overg 
was  obliged  to  call  the  lady  in  private,  and  give  a  vomit 
to  the  dog,  ^nd  to  call  into  ihc  pijcina-,  what  he  fhoiild 
throw  up.  Another  laid,  t'nat  the  facrarnent  being  a 
fpiritual  nounfhment  to  the  foul,  he  was  obliged  to  afk 
a  quellion,  and  it  was,  whether  the  fenfitive  foul  of  the 
dog  v/as  nourifhed  by  the  facrarnent  or  not  ?  All  did 
apree  in  the  aflirn^ative,  upon  which  the  qucftionift 
formed  by  the  following  argument.  The  foul  nourifli- 
isd  by  the  facrarnent  ot  the  body  and  blood  of  Chrift, 
who  is  eternal  life,  is  immortal  -^  but  the  fenfitive  foul  of 
the  dog  was  nourillied  by  Chrifl,  according  to  your 
opinions  :  Ergo,  the  foul  of  the  dog  is  immortal ;  then, 
if  immortal,  where  is  the  foul  to  go  after  death  ;  to  hea- 
ven, to  hell,  or  to  go  to  purgatory  ?  We  muftanfwer, 
to  neither  of  thefc  places :  So  we  difown  that  the  dog 
did  eat  the  body  of  Chrift  •,  and  there  is  more  in  the 
facrarnent,  than  we  can  comprehend  ^  and  (fahafide^  and 
In  th.e  way  in  argument)  I  fay,  that  the  dog  did  eac 
what  v/e  fee  in  the  Hoft,  and  not  what  we  bcltevc  : 
Thus  the  member  ended  his  difcourfe. 

After  all  thefe  difputes,  the  cafe  was  thus  refolved, 
that  the  Pried  ihould  alk  the  Inquifitcrs  advice,  who 
being  the  judges  in  matters  of  faith,  may  fafely  dtt^Vr 
niine  what  is  to  be  done  in  fuch  a  cafe,  and  the  Lke. 

Q^dly.  I  have  laid  already  in  another  place,  that  the 
Reverend  Father  Friar  James  Garcia  was  reputed  a- 
inbng  the  learned,  the  only  man  for  divinity  in  this 
prefentage;  and  that  he  was  my  mafter,  and  by  his 
repeated  kindnefs  to  me,  1  may  fay,  that  I  was  his 
"well  beloved  difciple.  1  was  to  defend  a  public  tliefis 
of  divinity  in  the  viniverfity,  and  he  v/as  to  be  prefi- 
dent,  or  moderator.  The  thefi^  contained  the  follow- 
ing treatifes.  Be  EJfentia  &  Attributis  Dei  :  BeVift- 
cne  beatifica  -,  Be  Gratia  Jnftificanie  &  au^iliante  :  Be 
Providentia  :  Be  A^u  Liber o  :  Be  Trinitate  :  -^  de 
Sacramenli^  vn  gemru     All  which  I  bad  learned  from 

"  him. 


io    P  0  P  E  R  r.  iSi 

Wm.     The  fhortefl  treatife,  of  all  he  taught  publlcl/ 
in  the  univerfity,  was  the  Eucharijha.     The  proofs  of 
his  opinion  were  fhort,  and  the  objrdions  againftthem 
very  fuccin6l  and  dark.     I  mud  confeis,  that  I  was  full 
of  confufion,  and  uneafy,  for  fear  that  fome  do6tor  of 
divinity  would  make  an  argument  againil  our  opinion 
touching  the    facrament   of  Eucharifiia.     And  I  did 
endeavour  to  aflc  my  mailer  to  inflrudl   me,   and  tur- 
nifh  mc  with  anfwers  fuitable  to  the  mod  difficult  ob- 
je<5lions  that  could  be  propofed  ;  but    though  he  de- 
iired  me  to  be  eafy  about  it, "and  that,  upon  neceffity, 
he  would  anfwerfor  me;   I  replied  with  the  following 
objedion  :  God  never  will  punifh  any  man  for  not  be- 
lieving v/hat  is  againftthe  evidence  of  our   fenfes,  but 
the  real  prefence  in  Euchariftia  is  fo  :  Ergo  (Salvajide) 
God  will  not  punifn  any  man  for  not  believing  the  real 
prefence  of  Chrifl  there.     To  this  he  told  nie,  that  none 
cf  the  doclors  would  propofe  fuch  an  argum.ent  to  me,, 
and  he  advifed  me  not  to  make   fuch  an  objection  in 
public,  but  to  keep  it  in  my  heart.     But  Father  (faid 
I)  I  do  afl;:  your  anfwer  ;  my  anfwer  is  (faid  he)  aliud 
Lingua  doceo^  aliud  Corde  credo,  i,  e,  I  teach  one  thing^^ 
and  I  believe  another.     By  thefe  inftances,  I  have  gi- 
ven now,  every  body  m.ay  eafily  know  the  corruptions 
of  the  Romifh  church,  and  the  nonfenfical  opinions  of 
their  Priefls  and  Friars,  as  alfo,  that  the  learned  do  no£ 
believe  in  their  hearts,  that  there  is  fuch  a  monfler  a.^ 
tranfuhftaniiation^  though  for  fome  v/orldly  ends,  the/ 
do  notdifcover  their  true  fentiments  about  it. 

Now  I  proceed  to  the  worihip,  and  adoration,  botfi^ 
the  clergy  and  laitf  pay  to  the  holy  Hoft  or  facrament* 
And  I  fhall  not  fay  any  thing  of  what  the  people  do, 
when  the  Priefb  in  a  proceflion  under  a  canopy  carrietd 
the  facrament  to  the  fick,  for  this  cuftom  and  the  pomp 
ofit,  andthe  idolatrous  worfliip  and  adoration  offered  to 
it,  is  well  known  by  our  travellers  &  officers  of  the  army, 
Philip  the  ^th.  King  of  ^f&in^  as  he  was  a  hunting, 
^r°t  ia  the  way  a  croud  of  people  following  a  Priellj 

and 


tS4  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R^K  E  f 

and  afkingthe  reafon,  he  was  told,  that  the  Piieft  did 
carry  the  conlecrated  wafer  in  his  bolbm  to  a  Tick  per- 
fon  •,  the  Prieft  did  walk,  and  the  King  leaving  his 
horle,  desired  the  Prieft  to  mount  and  ride  on  it,  and 
holding  the  ftlrrup,  bareheaded,  he  followed  the  Prieft 
all  the  way  to  the  houfe,  and  gave  him  the  horie  for  a 
prefent.  From  the  King  to  the  fhv^pherd,  all  people 
pay  the  fame  adoration  to  the  holy  Hoft  ;  which  ftiall 
be  better  known  by  the  pomp  and  magnificence  they 
carry  the  great  Hoft  with,  in  the  folemn  feftivai  of  cor- 
pus Chrijii^  or  of  Chrifi\  body.  I  fhiall  defcribe  only 
the  general  proceffion  made  on  that  day  in  Zaragofa^ 
of  which  1  was  an  eye-witnefs. 

Though  the  feftivai  of  corpus  Chrijii  be  a  moveable 
Feaft,  it  always  falls  on  a  Thurfday.  That  day  is  made 
the  great  general  proceiTion  of  corpus  Chrifti  %  and  the 
Sunday  following,  every  congregation,  through  the 
ftreets  of  the  pariih,  and  every  convent  of  Friars  and 
Nuns  through  the  cloifters  ot  the  convent  do  go  with 
great  pomp  to  the  private  proceffion  of  Chrift's  body. 
As  to  the  general  great  one,  the  feftivai  is  ordered  ia 
the  following  manner. 

The  Dean  of  the  cathedral  church  of  St.  Salvator 
fends  an  officer  to  fummon  all  the  communities  of 
Friars,  all  the  clergy  of  the  pariffi  churches,  the  Vice- 
roy, Governor  and  Magiftrates,  the  judges  of  the  civil 
and  criminal  council,  with  the  Lord  chancellor  of  the 
kingdom  and  ail  the  fraternities,  brotherhoods,  or  cor- 
porations of  the  city,  to  meet  together  on  th^  Thurfday 
following,  in  the  Metropolitan  cathedral  church  of  St. 
Salvator,  with  all  the  ftandards,  trumpets,  giants,  * 
both  of  the  greater  and  lefler  fize  in  their  refpedive 
habits  of  office  or  dignity ;  and  all  the  clergy  of  the 

panffi 


*  Three  big  giant  men,  and  three  giant  women  ;  and  fix  little 
ones,  dreft  in  men  and  women's  clothes,  made  of  thin  wood,  and 
cai-ried  by  a  man  hid  under  the  clothes.  The  big  ones  are  15 
feet  high,  which  are  kept  in  the  hall  of  the  cit/,  for  the  magnid* 
cence  and  fpkndor  of  that  day« 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r\  185 

I 

parlfh  churches,  and  Friars  of  convents,  to  bring  along 
with  them  in  a  proccllion,  with  due  reverence,  all  thfi 
fiiver  bodies  of  faints  Oii  a  baft;  or  pedeilal,  which  arc 
in  their  churches  and  convents :  Itenij  orders  are  pub- 
lifhed  in  every  ftrect,  that  the  inhabitants,  or  houfe- 
keepers  are  to  clean  the  llreets,  which  the  iacrament  is 
to  go  through,  and  cover  the  ground  with  greens,  and 
fiovvers,  and  to  put  th^  bed  hangings  in  the  fronts  of 
the  balconies,  and  windows  :  Ail  which  is  done  accord- 
ingly ;  or  eife  he  that  doth  not  obey  and  perform  fuch 
orders,  is  to  pay  20  pifloles  v/ithoutany  excufc  whatfo- 
ever. 

At  three  in  the  afternoon,  the  Vice-roy  goes  in  date 
with  the  Governor,  Judges,  Magiftrates,  and  ofHcers, 
to  meet  the  Aschbifhop  in  his  palace,  and  to  accom- 
pany his  Grace  to  church,  where  all  the  communities 
of  Friars,  Clergy,  and  Corporations,  are  waiting  for 
them.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  receive  them  at  the 
great  porch,  and  after  the  Archbifhop  has  made  a  pray- 
er before  the  great  altar,  the  mufick  begins  to  (ing, 
Pange  li?igua  gloriofuy  while  the  Archbifh:)p  takes  out 
of  the  tabernacle  the  Hoft  upon  the  iich  chalice,  and 
pliceth  it  on  the  great  cuftodia^  on  the  altai's  table. 
Then  the  Quire  begins  the  evening  fongs,  in  which 
the  Archbifh  )p  in  his  pontifical  habit  offic^ateth,  and 
when  all  is  over,  his  Grace  giveth  the  blcfTiiig  to  the 
people  with  the  f^crament  in  his  hands.  Then  the 
Archbifliop,  with  the  help  of  the  Dean,  Archdeacon, 
and  Chanter,  placcth  tht  cujlodia  en  a  gik  pedeftal, 
which  is  adorned  with  flowers  and  the  j^wrls  of  feveral 
ladiesof  quality,  and  which  is  carried  c?n  the  fhouldcrs 
of  12  Pricfts,  drefl  in  the  fame  ornaments  they  fay  Mafs 
in.  I'hii  being  done,  the  procefTion  begins  to  go  out 
of  the  church  in  the  following  order. 

Firft  of  all  the  bagpip<%  and  the  great  and  fmall  gi- 
ants, dancing  all  along  the  fircers.  2.  The  big  filver 
Crofs  ot  t'  "  cathedral,  carried  by  a  Clerk-Priclt,  and 
cwo  young  c^alftants,  with  filver  candlefticks  and  ligRted 

X  .    candles* 


iS6         A    MASTER-KET 

candles.  3.  From  the  Crofs  to  the  piper,  a  man  wit& 
a  hi,Q:h  hook  goes  and  comes  back  again  while  the 
procefTion  lafts.  The  hook  is  called  St.  Paul's  hook^. 
becaufe  it  belongs  to  St.  PattVs^  church.  That  hook 
is  very  fharp,  and  they  make  ufe  of  it  in  that  procef- 
fion,  to  cut  down  the  fi^ns  of  taverns  and  ihops,  for 
fe-ar  that  the  holy  cuftodia  fliould  be  fpoiled.  4.  The 
flandard  and  fign  ot  the  youngeil  corporation,  and  all 
the  members  ot  it,  v/ith  a  wax  candle  in  their  hands, 
forming  t'vo  linqs,  whom  all  the  corporations  follow 
one  after  another  in  the  fame  order.  There  are  30 
corporations,  and  the  fmalleit  is  compofed  of  30  mem- 
bers. 5.  The  boys  and  girls  of  the  biuehofpital  with 
their  mailer,  miiftrets,  and  the  chaplain  in  his  alva^fto-- 
la^  and  long  facerdotal  cloak.  6.  The  youngeft  reli- 
gion (the  order  of  St.  Francis,  is  called  St.  Francis^  re- 
kgion,  and  fo  are  all  orders,  which  they  reckon  70,  and 
which  we  miay  really,  in  the  phrale  of  a  fatirical  gen- 
tleman, call  70  religions  without  religion^  with  their  Re- 
verend and  two  Friars  more  at  the  end  ot  each  order^ 
dreff  in  the  ornaments  they  ufe  at  the  altar  :  And  \o 
all  the  orders  go  one  after  another  in  the  fame  manner. 
There  are  20  convents  of  Friars,  and  on  this  lolemnfcf- 
tival,  every  one  being  obliged  to  go  to  the  procefTion. 
v;e  reckon  there  may  be  about  2000  prefent  on  this  occa- 
fion  \  and  16  convents  of  Nun?,  the  number  of  them 
by  regular  computation  is  1500.  7.  The  clergy  of 
the  youngeft  parifii,  with  the  parilli  Crofs  before,  and 
the  minifter  of  it  behind  them  in  facred  ornaments. 
And  fo  the  clergy  of  the  other  parifhes  follow  one  ano- 
ther in  the  fanie  order,  every  Friar  and  Prieft  having, 
av.'hire  wax  candle  fighted  in  his  hand. 

The  number  of  fccular  Pritfis  conflantly  refiding  in 
Zaragofa  is.  1200  in  that  one  town  :  So  by  the  laid 
account^  we  find  ail  the  ecck  fi/iflical  perfons  to  amount 
to  4700,  when  the  whole  of  the  inliabitants  come  to 
15000  families. 

8'.,  The  oiergy  of  the  cathedrals  of  St.  Sakatcr^  and 

the 


to     P  0  P  E  R  r.  rS- 

i-he  lacly  of  Pilar ^  with  all  their  faccrdotal  ornaments,  as 
alio  the  muficians  of  both  the  cathedrals   Vv'hich  go  be- 
fore the  cuftodia  or    facrament,    Tinging    all. 'the    way. 
Then  the  12  Pricfts  more,  that  canv  the  canopy,  un- 
der which  the  facrament  goes,  and  under  the  end  of  it 
iht  Dean,  and  two  Prebends,  as  Deacon  and  Subdeacon. 
The  Archbidiop  in  his  pontifical  habit  goes  at  the  Sub- 
deacon's  right  hand,  the  Viceroy  at  the  Archbifhop's, 
and  the  Deacon  and  Subdeacon   one  at   the  right,  and 
the  other  at  the  lett,  ail  under  the  canopy.     Six  PrieRs, 
with  incenfe  and  incenlaries  on  both  fides  of  the  cujio- 
dia^  go  incenfing  the  facrament  without  intermiOion  ; 
for  while  one  kneels  down  before  the  great  Hoft,  &  incen- 
fes  it  three  times,  theother  puts  incenfe  in  his  incenfary, 
and  goes  to  relieve  the  other,  and  thus   they    do,  from 
the  coming  out  of  the  churcli,  till  they   retui-n  back  a- 
jg;ain  to  it. 

9.  The  great  Chancellor^  Prefidents,  and  councils 
follow  after,  and  after  all,  the  nobility,  men  and  v/o- 
men,  with  lighted  candles.  This  procellion  lafis  4 
hours  from  the  time  it  goes  out,  till  it  comes  into  the 
church  again.  All  the  bells  of  the  convents,  and  pa- 
rifhes  ring  ail  this  time  ;  and  if  there  v/ere  not  fo  many 
idolatrous  ceremionies  in  that  proceffion,  it  would  be  a 
great  pleafare  to  fee  the  ftreets  fo  richly  adorned  with 
the  bed  l>angings,  and  the  variety  of  perfons  in  the 
procelTion.     - . 

The  riclVes  of  that  proceffion  are  incredible  to  a 
foreigner ;  'but  matters  or  fact  (the  truth  of  which  may 
be  inquired;  into)  mull"  be  received  by  all  ferious  peo- 
ple. I  have  fpoken  already  of  the  rich  cuftodia^  which 
the  Archbifliop  of  iSf'L'i/gave  to  the  cathedral,  and  of 
tae,  rich  chalice  fet  in  diamonds.  Now  befides  thefe 
two  things,  Ave  reckon  33  fiWer  Croffes  belonging  to 
convents,  and  parifh  churches,  10  feet  high,  and  about 
the  thicknefs  of  a  pole  of  a  coach -,  33  fmall  Crojffes 
which  the  priells  and  Friars,  whp  officiate  that  day, 
carry  ia  tlieir  hands  j  thefe  Croiles  though  fmall,  are 

richer 


iSS  'A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  r 

richer  than  the  bis;  one  ;  becaufe  in  the  nniddle  of  the 
Crols  there  is  a  relick,  which  is  a  piece  of  wood  (as  they 
lay)  of  the  Crofs,  on  which  our  Saviour  was  crucified^ 
and  which  they  call  holy  wood.  This  relick  is  {ti  in 
precious  Hones,  and  many  of  them  fet  in  diamonds. 
Thirty-three  facerdotal  cloaks  to  officiate  in,  made  of 
^ufy  d'or^  edged  with  pearls,  emeralds,  lubies,  and  o» 
ther  rich  ftoncs.  Sixty  fix  filver  candlcfticks,  four  feet 
high.  A  large  gold  pofTenet.  and  a  gold  handle  for 
the  hyfop,  fix  incenfaries,  four  of  them  ^Aytr^  and  two 
of  gold  J  four  filver  iRccnfe  boxes,  and  two  gold  ones. 
Three  hundred  and  eighty  filver  bodies  of  faints  on 
their  rich  gilt  pedeftals,  of  which  two  hundred  are 
whole  bodies,  and  the  reft  half,  but  many  are  gilt,  and 
feveral  wear  mitres  on  their  heads,  embroidered  with 
precious  ftones.  The  image  of  St.  Michael  with  the 
devil  under  his  feec,  and  the  image  with  wings,  are  of 
folid  filver  gilt  all  over. 

With  this  magnificence  they  carry  the  facrament 
through  the  principal  ftreets  of  the  city,  and  all  the 
people  that  are  in  the  balconies  and  lattice  windows 
throw  rofes  and  other  flowers  upon  the  canopy  of  the 
facrament  as  it  goes  by.  When  ih^  procefilon  is  over, 
and  the  facrament  placed  in  the  tabernacle  :  There  is 
a  ftage  before  the  altar  to  ad  a  facramental  or  divine  co- 
medy, which  lafts  about  an  hour,  and  this  cuftom  is 
pradifed  alfo  on  Chrifimas  eve.  By  thtfe,  every  body 
may  know  their  bigotries,  fuperftitions  and  idola- 
tries. 

Now  I  come  to  fay  fomething  of  the  ftrange  notions, 
the  priefls  and  Friars,  ConfefTors  and  preachers  put  in 
the  people's  heads,  concerning  the  Hoft.  Firft,  they 
preach  and  charge  the  people  to  adore  the  facrament, 
but  never  to  touch  the  confecrated  Hoft  or  wafer,  this 
being  a  crime  ^ainft  the  Catholic  faith,  and  that  all 
fuch  as  dare  to  touch  it,  muft  be  burned  in  the  irqutfi- 
tion.  Secc>ndly.  to  believe  that  the  real  fit (h  and  blood 
of  J^wfus  Chnlt  is  in  fhe  Enckarijl  j  and  that,  though 

they 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  189 

they  cannot  fee  it,  they  ought  to  fubmit  their  under- 
ftanding;  to  the  Catholic  faith.  Thirdly,  that  if  any 
body  could  lawfully  touch  the  Hoti,  or  wafer,  and 
prick  it  with  a  pin,  blood  (hall  come  out  immediately, 
which  they  pretend  to  prove  with  many  miracles,  as 
that  of  the  corporales  of  Daroca^  which,  as  it  comes  a 
propos,  I  cannot  pafs  by  without  giving  an  account 
of  it. 

Bar  oca  is  an  ancient  city  of  the  kingdom  oi  Aragcn^ 
which  bordereth  on  Cajiilla.  It  is  famous  among  the 
Spaniards  ior  its  fituation  and  ftrength,  and  for  the 
mine  that  is  in  a  neighbouring  mountain  to  \i.  For 
the  floods  coming  with  impetuofity  againfl  the  walls, 
and  putting  the  city  in  great  danger,  the  inhabitants 
dug  three  hundred  yards  from  one  end  of  the  mount  to 
the  other,  and  made  a  fubterranean  paffagc,  and  the 
floods  going  that  way,  the  city  is  ever  fince  free  from 
danger.  But  it  is  yet  more  famous  for  what  they  call 
corporales.  The  Itory  is  this  :  When  the  Moors  in- 
vaded Spain,  a  curate  near  Baroca  took  all  imaginable 
care  to  fave  the  confecrated  wafers,  that  were  in  the 
tabernacle,  and  not  to  fee  them  profaned  by  the  InfJels^ 
and  open  enemies  of  their  faith.  There  were  but  five 
fmall  H  jfls  in  all,  which  he  put  within  the  fine  Holland 
on  which  the  Prieft  puts  the  great  Heft  when  he  fays 
Mafs  :  And  this  piece  of  Holland  is  called  corporales. 
The  Moors  were  at  that  time  near,  and  no  body  could 
make  an  efcape,  and  the  Fritfl  ready  to  lofe  his  own 
life,  rather  than  to  fee  the  Hods  profaned,  tied  the 
corporales  with  the  five  wafers  in  it,  on  a  blind  mule, 
and  whipping  the  beaft  out  of  town,  faid,  fpeed  you 
well,  for  1  am  fure  that  the  facramcnt  on  your  back  will 
guide  you  to  fome  place  free  from  the  enemies  of  our 
religion.  The  Mule  journeyed  c^n,  and  the  next  day 
arrived  at  Baroca,  and  fome  people  obferving  the  cor- 
porales tied  with  the  holyy?^/^  to  x\i^  niule's  belly,  were 
furprifed  at  fo  rare  and  unexpecfled  a  thing,  and  calling 
a  Prieft  of  the  great  parifli  church,  he  came  to  the  mule, 

and 


190  'AMASTER-KET 

and  examining  the  thing,  founid  the  five  wafers  converted 
into  blood,  and  (lamped  on  the  holland  cloth  ;  which 
ipots  of  blood  (or  painting)  of  the  bignefs  of  a  ten- 
penny  piece,  arc  prelerved  till  this  preient  time.  Then 
t\\Q  Prieft  crying  out,  a  miracle,  the  clergy  in  great  de- 
votion and  proceflion  came  with  candles  and  a  canopy, 
a-nd  taking  the  mule  under  it,  went  to  the  great  church  ; 
and  when  th^  minifter  of  the  parifh  had  taken  iht  Jlola 
2ind  corporal es'ivomi}^ xh^  mule,  he  went  to  place  the 
corporales  on  the  ara  altaris^  or  the  altar's  table,  but 
the  mule  not  well  plealcrd  with  it,  left  the  company^ 
and  went  up  to  the  (leeple  or  beirry  :  Then  the  parifh 
miniiler  (though  not  fo  wife  as  the  mule)  followed  the 
ViYS\t  up  ftairs,  and  feeing  the  beail  mark  a  place  there 
with  its  mouth,  he  foon  underftood,  that  the  mule  be- 
ing blind,  could  neither  go  up,  nor  mark  that  place 
^^ithout  being  infpired  from  above  -,  and  having  per- 
fwaded  the  people  of  the  fame,  all  agreed  that  there 
fhould  be  a  little  chapel  built  to  keep  the  holy  co^po- 
7'ules.  \Vhcn  this  refolution  was  approved  by  the 
clergy  and  laity,  the  mule  died  on  the  tfecple.  At  the 
famiC  time  tlie  curate  having  made  his  efcape,  and  by 
Ciivine  inlpiration  follovv/ing  the  mulcts  ileps,  came  to 
Daroca^  and  telling  the  whole  cafe  of  his  putting  the 
facrament  on  the  mule  to  fave  it  from  profanation,  both 
clergy  and  laity  began  to  cry  out.  a  miracle  from  Hea- 
I'eni  And  immediately  further  agreed,  that  the  mule 
Hiouid  be  embalmed  and  kept  betore  the  holy  corporaks 
in  the  fteeple,  ad  perpetudni  Ret  Alcmoriam  :  Item^  to 
nir;ke  a  mide  of  the  bed  ifone  could  be  tound,  in  ho- 
nor of  the  mule,  and  that  for  the  future  his  name  lliould 
be  ilie  holy  mule.  All  things  being,  done  accordingly, 
nnd  the  city  having  never  been  madered  by  the  Moors 
(a^y  theinhabitants  fay)  they  inifituted  a  folemn  ieili- 
v,tL  to  which  ever  fincc  the  neighbours,  even  fourteen 
leagues  diftant,  come  every  year.  Thofe  that  go  up 
to'  tne  fteeple  to  fee  the  holy  miracle  of  the  Wafers  co*nr 
verted  into  blo^.ij  atid  the  holy   mule,  mult  pay   fouf 

reals 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  191 

reals  of  plate.  The  people  of  Daroca  call  it  fome- 
times,  she  holy  myftery^  another  time,  the  holy  miracle  ; 
the  facraynent  of  the  mule  by  fome  ignorants  :  The  holy 
facramcnt  on  a  mule  by  the  wife,  &c.  I  myfelf  took  a 
journey  to  fee  this  wonder  of  Daroca^  and  paying  the 
fees,  went  up  to  have  a  full  viev/  of  every  thing :  And 
really  I  faw  a  mule  of  (lone,  and  a  coffin  wherein  the 
embalmed  mule  was  kept  fas  the  clerk  told  me)  but  he 
did  not  open  it,  for  the  key  is  kept  always  at  the  Bi^ 
fhop's  palace  :  I  faw  likewife  the  linen  with  five  red 
fpots  in  a  little  box  of  gilt  filver,  two  candles  always 
burning  before  it,  and  a  glafs  lamp  before  the  mule's 
cofnn.  At  that  t-m-e  1  did  believe  every  part  of  the 
ftory.  All  forts  of  people  do  believe  as  an  infallible 
truth,  that  every  body's  fiLiht  is  preferved  during  life, 
in  the  fame  degree  of  flrength  and  clearnefs  it  is  in  at 
the  time  they  (ce  thefe  bloody  fpots,  which  is  proved  by 
many  inftances  of  old  women,  who  by  that  means 
have  excellent  eyes  to  the  laft.  Ttem^  They  give  out 
that  no  blind  perfon  ever  came  before  the  corporale^y 
v/ithout  his  fight  being  reftored  to  him  \  which  I  firm- 
ly believe  •,  for  no  blind  perfon  tvcr  was  up  in  the 
Ifeeple.  I  cannot  fwear  this,  but  I  have  very  good  rea- 
fon  to  affirm  it  ;  for  in  the  firft  place,  there  is  a  finall 
book  printed,  called  dire 5f ions  for  the  faithful  people^ 
teaching  them  how  to  prepare  thernfelves  before  they 
go  up  to  fee  the  holy  myftery  of  the  corporales  ^i  Daroca. 
One  of  the  advices  to  the  blind  is,  that  they  mull  con- 
fefs  and  receive  the  facramcnt,  and  have  the  foul  as 
clean  as  cryftal,  and  to  endeavour  to  go  up  to  \k\t  flee- 
ple  from  the  altar's  table  v/ithout  any  guide  ;  and  that 
if  fome  cannot  go  as  far  as  the  chapel  of  the  belfrey, 
it  is  a  fign  that  that  man  is  not  well  prepared.  The 
diftance  between  the  altar  and  the  fteeple's  door  is  about 
forty  yards,  and  there  are  nine  ftrong  pillars  in  the  bo- 
dy of  the  church  :  So  the  poor  blind  people  before 
they  can  reach  the  belfrey's  door,  commonly  break  their 
nofes,  fome  their  heads,  &c.  And  fome  more  cau- 
tious 


192  A    M  J  S  T  E  R'K  E  T 

tious  and  careful,  and  happy  in  finding  out  the  doof, 
when  they  are  in  the  middle  of  the  (lairs,  find  a  fnare 
or  (lock,  and  break  their  legs  ;  for  I  do  remember  ve- 
ry well,  when  I  went  up  myfelt,  I  faw  a  fort  of  a  win- 
dow in  the  middle  of  one  of  the  fleps,  and  afking  the 
life  of  it,  the  clerk  told  me,  it  was  to  let  down  through 
it  the  rope  of  the  great  bell.  Then  I  did  not  inquire 
further  \  but  now,  being  fure,  that  there  was  but  that 
fmall  window  (hut  up  in  the  whole  pair  of  winding 
Itairs,  I  conclude,  that  it  could  nor  be  there  for  the  faid 
ufe,  and  in  all  probability  that  window  was  the  fnare  to 
catch  the  poor  blind  people  in.  Therefore  the  clerk 
being  not  fure  of  the  miracle,  by  this  prevents  the  dif- 
covcry  of  the  want  of  virtue  in  the  holy  corporales^  to 
cure  all  difeafes,  and  at  the  fame  time  gives  out  a  mi- 
racle, and  the  miracle  is,  ;hat  the  blind  man  has  broke 
his  leg,  and  that  it 'is  a  jufl  punifhment,  for  daring  to 
go  up  either  unprepared  or  with  little  faith  :  So  no 
blind  man  has  recovered  fight  by  the  virtue  of  the  cor- 
-porales. 

By  means  of  this  fame  direction,  no  fick  perfon  dar- 
eth  to  go  up ;  but  if  they  recover,  it  muil  be  a  mira- 
cle of  the  holy  myflery.  And  if  a  mule  happen  to  be 
fick,  the  mafier  of  it  goes  and  makes  the  beaft  give 
three  turns  round  the  fteeple,  thinking  that  its  brother 
mule  has  power  to  cure  it. 

Many  will  be  apt  to  fufpefl:  the  truth  of  this  ftory  ; 
nay,  fome  will  think  it  a  mere  forgery  \  but  I  do  ap- 
peal to  fcveral  officers  of  the  army  that  went  through 
Baroca^  to  he  witnefTes  for  me.  It  may  be  they  were 
not  told  all  the  circumflances  of  it,  becaufe  the  people 
there  have  ftrano-e  notions  of  an  Heretick  :  but  the  mule 
and  ccrporales  being  the  mod  remarkable  thing  in  the 
city,  I  am  fure  many  did  hear  of  it,  though  nobody  of 
the  Hereticks  could  fee  the  holy  myftery,  being  a  thing 
forbidden  by  their  church. 

With  this,  and  the  like  pretended  miracles,  Priefts 
and  Friars;  Confefiors  and  preachers,  make  the  people 

believe 


to    P  0  P  E  R  t.  15J 

fcHieve  the  real  pt^fence  of  (  hrift's  body  in  the  Hofl:, 
and  the  ineffable  virtue  of  this  facrament  to  cure  all 
bodily  diftempers  :  Nay,  what  is  more  than  all  thtrfe, 
they  perfwade,  and  make  the  people  believe,  that  if  a 
man  or  a  woman  has  the  conTtcrated  wafer  by  them, 
they  cannot  die  fuddenly  ;  nay,  nor  be  killed  by  vio- 
lent hands  :  So  great  is  the  power  of  the  Hoft  (they 
fay)  that  if  you  fhew  it  to  the  enraged  fea,  the  llorra 
immediately  ceafeth  ;  if  you  carry  it  with  you,  you 
cannot  die,  efpecially  a  fudden  death.  And  really  they 
hiay  venture  to  give  out  this  d(j6lrine  as  an  infallible 
point  5  for  they  arc  fure  no  body  will  dare  touch  thci 
Hod,  and  much  lels  to  carry  it  with  him,  it  being  fo 
high  acrime,  that  if  any  body  was  found  out  with  the 
confecrated  wafer  on  his  body,  the  fentence  is  already 
pad  by  the  Inquifitors,  that  fuch  a  pcrfon  is  to  be  burnt 
alive, 

A  parifh  Prieft  carrying  the  confecrated  Hod  to  a 
fick  perfon,  out  of  the  town,  was  killed  by  a  flafli  of 
lightening,  which  accident  being  clearly  again fr  this 
pretended  infallible  power  of  the  Hoft,  the  people 
took  the  liberty  to  talk  about  it;  but  the  cleigy  did 
order  a  funeral  {errnon,  to  which  the  nobility  and  com- 
mon people  were  invited  by  the  common  cryer.  Every 
body  did  expedt  a  funeral  fermon  ;  but  the  preacher, 
taking  for  his  text  Judicium  fihi  manducat^  did  prove. 
That  that  Prieft,  killed  by  a  flafli  of  lightening,  was 
certainly  damned,  and  that  his  luaden  death,  while  he 
had  the  confecrated  Hoft  in  his  hands,  was  the  reward 
of  his  wickednefs ;  and  that  this  death  wa-  to  be  lock- 
ed upon  as  a  miracle  of  the  holy  HlPc,  larher  than  aa 
inftance  againft  the  infinite  power  of  it ,  for,  faid  he, 
we  have  carefully  fearched  and  examined  every  thing, 
and  have  found  that  he  was  not  a  Prieft,  and  therefore 
had  Ro  authority  to  touch  the  Hofi,  nor  adminifter  the 
facrament  oi"  the  Eucharift.  And  with  this  the  mur- 
mur of  the  people  ceafed,  and  tyt\^]  body  afterwards 
thoughtj  tbat  the  fudden  de.nh  of  the  Piieit was  a  ma- 

Y  ^  nLeit 


194  >/    M  A  S  r  E  R^K  E  r 

nifefl:  miracle  wrought  by  ihe  Hoft,  and  a  viP/ble  p\2u 
nifliment  from  heaven  for  his  facrilegious  crimes. 

The  truth  is,  that  the  Frieft  was  ordained  by  the  Bi- 
fhop  of  Tarajhna,,  in  Arago)7,  The  thi.ng  did  happen  m 
the  city  Calatayed^  in  the  fame  kingdom  -,  his  nam.c  was 
Moffen  Pedro  Aquiiar,  he  was  buried  in  the  church, 
called  the  fepulch'e  of  our  Lord.  The  reverend  Father 
Fomhuena  was  the  preacher,  and  I  was  one  of  the  hear- 
ers, and  one  tl^at  did  believe  the  thing  as  the  preacher 
told  us,  till  after  a  while,  fome  members  of  the  a- 
cademy  having  examined  the  cafe,  and  found  that  he 
was  really  a  Frieft,  did  propofc  it  to.  the  afiembly,  that 
every  body  m.igkt  give  his  opinion  about  it.  The  Pre- 
fidcnt  faid  that  ftich  a  cafe  was  not  to  be  brousrht  into 
qucition,  but  the  do6lrine  of  the  church  touching  En- 
ckarijlia  to  be  believed  without  any  fcruples* 

Again,  That  the  Hoft  has  no  virtue  nor  powder  ta 
calm  che  raging  fea,  1  know  myfelf  by  experience  ; 
and  as  the  relation  of  the  thing  may  prove  efedlual  to 
convince  other  Roman  Catholics  of  their  erroneous 
belief,  as  well  as  the  paflage  itfelf  did  me,  it  feems  fit 
in  this  place  to  give  an  account  of  it,  and  I  pray  God 
Almighty,  that  it  may  pleafe  him  to  give  all  the  Ro- 
man-Catholics the  fame  conviction,  fome  way  or  other^ 
his  infinite  goodnels  was  pleafcd  to  give  me,  that  they 
may  take  as  firm  arefolution  as  I  have  taken,  toefpoufe 
the  lafeft  way  to  falvation  ;  for  if  we  tike  our  n^gaiures 
concerning  the  truths  of  religion  from  the  rules  of  the 
holy  fcriptures,  and  the  platform  of  the  primitive 
churches  •,  nay,  if  the  religion  of  Jefus  Chrift,  as  it  is 
delivered  in  the  New  Teftament,  be  the  true  relio^ion 
(as  1  am  certain  it  is)  and  the  bed  and  fafeft  way  to  J'al- 
vation  v  then  certainly  the  Proteftant  religion  is  the  pu- 
reft,  that  is,  at  this  day,  in  the  world  %  the  raoft 
orthodox  in  faith^  and  the  freeft  on  the  one  hand,  from 
idolatry  and  fuperftition,  and  on  the  other,  from  whim- 
fical  novelties  and  enthufiafms  of  any  now  extant  ; 
and  not  only  a  fafe  way  to  falvation,  but  the  M^^  of 

any 


io    P  O  P  E  R  r. 


195 


I 

any  I   know  in  the   world.     Now    T   come   to   my 
ilory. 

After  T  lefr  ray  country,  making  ule  of  feveral  flrara- 
gems  &dilguiltrs,  I  went  to  France,  didlld  in  offLcet's 
clothes,  and  fo  I  was  known  by  fomcat  Paris,  under  the 
name  of  the  Spanijh  officer.  My  defign  was  to  come  to  En7- 
land.bui  the  treaty  or  Utrecht  being  not  concluded,  I  could 
not  attempt  to  come  from  Calais  to  Dover^  with.out  a' 
pals.  1  was  perfecftlv  a  (tranger  ira  Paris^  and  without 
any  acquaintance,  only  one  French  Prieft,  who  had  flu- 
died  in  Spain^  and  could  fpeak  Spani/h  perfediy  well, 
which  was  a  great  latisfa<5lion  to  me,  for  at  that  time  I 
could  not  fpeak  French.  Tht  Prieft  (to  whom  i  made 
Ibme  preients)  was  interpreter  of  the  Spanijh  letters  to 
the  King's  ConfeiTor,  Father  k  ^elier,  to  whom  he  in- 
troduced me  ;  I  fpoke  to  him  in  Latin,  and  told  him, 
I  had  got  a  great  fortune  by  the  death  of  an  uncle  in 
London,  and  that  I  ihould  be  very  much  obliged  to 
his  Reverence,  if  by  his  influence  I  could  obtain  a  pafs. 
The  Prieft  had  told  him  that  I  was  a  Captain,  which  the 
Father  did  believe  ;  and  my  brother  having  been  a 
Captain,  (though  at  that  time  he  was  dead/  it  was  an 
eafy  thing  to  pafs  for  him  :  The  firlt  vific  was  lavour- 
able  to  me,  for  the  Father  Confcfibr  dui  promile  me  to 
get  me  a  pafs,  and  bid  mc  call  tor  it  two  or  three  days 
after,  which  I  did  ;  but  I  found  the  Reverend  very  m- 
quifitive,  alkmg  me  leveral  qudtions  in  divimry  :  I  an- 
iwered  to  ail,  that  I  had  lludied  only  a  little  Latin  :  lie 
then  told  me,  there  was  no  pfjOlhiliry  of  obtaininp;  a 
pals  for  England,  and  that  if  I  had  committed  any  irre- 
gular thing  m  the  army,  he  would  give  me  a  letter  for 
the  King  of  Spain^  to  obtain  my  pardon,  and  make  my  ♦ 
peace  with  him  again.  I  contefs  this  fpeech  made  me 
very  uneai*/,  and  I  began  to  fufped:  fome  danger  ;  fo  I 
thanked  him  tor  his  kind  orFer  to  me,  and  told  him  I  Jiad 
committed  nothing  againfl  my  King  or  country,  which 
I  would  convince  him  of,  by  retufing  his  favour,  and 
by  returning  back  into  i^pain^   that  very  week  :  So  I 

took 


A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  z  r 


took-my  leave  of  him,  and  the  day  following  I  left 
Paris^  and  went  back  to  St.  Sebajlian^  where  I  kept  my 
lodgings,  till  I  got  the  opportunity  of  a  fhip  for  Lijhon, 
The  merchants  of  Zaragofa  do  trade  to  St.  Sebajiiafi^ 
and  I  was  alraid  of  being  known,  and  difcovered  by 
fomc  of  them,  and  for  this  reafcn,  I  kept  dole  in  my 
room,  givina:  out  that  I  was  not  well.  How  to  get  d, 
Ihip  was  th*?  only  d  fficulty  •,  but  I  was  freed  from  this, 
by  fending  for  the  Father  Rc6tor  of  the  Jefuits,  on  pre- 
tence that  I  was  very  ill,  and  was  willing  to  confefs 
my  fins  :  Accordingly,  he  came  to  n^^e  that  very  day, 
and  I  began  my  confeiTion,  in  which  I  only  told  him, 
that  as  I  was  an  ciBcer  in  the  army,  and  had  killecj 
another  ofHcer,  for  which  the  King  had  ordered  me  to 
be  taken  up,  lo  that'  my  life  being  in  danger,  and 
my  confcience  in  trouble,  on  account  of  the  murder,  I 
did  put  both  life  and  foul  into  his  hands.  He  afked 
me  ail  the  u'ual  qiicftions  •,  but  1  conftfTing  no  other 
fin,  tke  Father  thought  1  was  a  good  Chriftian,  and 
fomething  gieat  in  the  world  ;  fo  he  bad  me  be  eafy, 
and  mind  nothing  but  to  keep  myfelf  in  a  readinefs  tor 
my  voyage,  and  that  he  would  f:nd  a  Captain  of  a  ihip, 
to  me  that  very  night,  who  fhould  take  me  along  ^'ith 
him  into  the  ihip,  and  fail  out  the  next  morning  :  And 
fo  all  was  performed  accordingly,  and  I  went  that 
night  to  embark.  What  directions  the  Fa;her  Redor 
gave  the  Captain,  I  knew  not  -,  this  1  know,  that  I  was 
treated  as  if  I  v;as  the  fon  of  a  grandee,  and  ferved  by 
the  Captain  himfclf.  This  was  the  firit  time  of  my 
life  being  at  fea,  fo  I  was  very  fick  the  two  firft  days  ; 
the  third  day,  a  great  ftorm  began,  which  put  me  in  fear 
ofiofmg  my  life.  But  then  calling  to  my  memory, 
that  the  div.ine  power  was  faid  to  be  in  a  confecrated 
Hoft  to  calm  the  raging  fea,  and  knowing  that  a  Prkft 
had  power  to  con  fee  rare  at  any  time,  and  every  where, 
tipon  urgent  necefTifyi  I  went  into  the  Captain's  cabin, 
and  tO(;k  one  of  the  white  wafers  he  made  ufe  of  for 
iealing  letters^  and  being  abne,  I  made  this  promifc 

tefuie 


to    P  0  P  E  R  T.  197 

before  God  Almighty,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart, 
that  if  he  would  gracionGy  condefcend  to  remove  my 
fcruples  at  once,  by  manifeftinr^  the  real  prefence  of  his 
body  in  the  Hoft,  and  its  infinite  power,  by  calming 
the  raging  tempeft  at  the  fi  ^ht  of  the  one  I  was  now 
goingtoconrecrate,thenI  would  ftraiyht  turn  back  again 
into  my  church  and  country,  and  live  and  die  in  the 
Romifi)  communion  -,  but  if  the  efFedt  did  not  anfwer  to 
the  dodrine  preached  of  the  Hoft,  then  I  would  live 
and  die  in  the  church  that  knoweth  no  fuch  errors,  nor 
obeycth  the  Pope,  After  this  promifc,  I  laid  my  pray- 
ers of  preparation  to  confecrate ;  and  after  1  had  con- 
fecrated  one  wafer  (which  I  was  fure  in  miy  confcien:e 
was  duly  confecrated,  for  the  want  of  ornaments  and  a 
decent  place,  is  no  hindrance  to  the  validity  of  the 
Prieft*s  confecration)  I  went  up,  and  hiding  the  wafer 
from  the  Captain  and  crew  of  the  fli:p,  I  fhewcd  it  to 
the  fea,  and  trembling  all  over,  ftjod  in  that  condition 
for  half  an  hour  :  But  the  dorm  at  that  tim^-  increafed 
fo  violently,  that  we  loft  the  mail  of  the  fhip,  and  the 
Captain  defired  me  to  go  down.  I  was  willing  to  v/ait 
a  little  longer  for  the  efficacy  of  the  Hoft,  but  finding 
pone  at  all,  I  went  down,  and  kneeling,  I  began  to  pray 
to  God,  and  thinking  1  was  obliged  to  eat  the  confecrat- 
ed Hoft  for  icverencefake,  1  did  eat  it,  but  without  a- 
ny  faith  of  the  efficacy  and  power  of  it.  Then  I  vow- 
ed before  God,  never  to  believe  any  dodlrine  of  the 
Romijh  church,  but  thofe  that  were  taught  by  Jefus 
Chrift  and  his  ap  .ftles,  and  to  live  and  die  m  that  only. 
After  this  vow,  though  the  ftorm  did  conr-nue  for  a 
day  and  a  night,  my  heart  was  calmed,  all  my  tears  va- 
r»ilbed,  and,  though  with  maniftft  danger  of  our  lives, 
we  got  into  Vigo\  harbour,  and  fate  from  ftorm. 

I  left  the  fkip  there,  and  by  land  I  went  to  Portugal^ 
having  an  inward  joy  and  eafinefs  in  my  heart  ;  but 
having  ftopped  at  Porto  Porto^  to  take  a  liule  reft,  I 
fell  fick  of  an  intermitting  fever,  which  brought  me 
to  the  very  point  of  death,  three  times,  in  three  months 

and 


'xgS  'AMASrER'KET 

and  n'uie  days.  The  minifter  of  the  parifh  being  told 
by  my  landlord,  the  condition  I  vvas  in,  pafl  hopes  of  re- 
covery, came  to  vifit  me,  and  defired  me  to  confcfs  and 
receive  as  a  o^ood  Chriftian  ought  to  do  :  but  1  thank- 
ing  him  fcrr  his  good  advice,  told  him,  that  I  was  not 
fo  Tick  as  he  did  believe,  and  that  I  would  lend  for  him 
i^  I  had  any  occafion,  and  really  I  never  believed  that  I 
was  to  die  of  that  diftemper,  and  by  this  thought,  I  was 
freed  from  Pritfls  and  Confeflbrs. 

When  I  was  out  of  danger,  and  well  recovered,  I 
went  to  LiJIwn^  where  I  had  the  opportunity  of  talking 
wi&h  fome  Englijh  merchants,  who  did  explain  to  mc 
fome  points  of  the  protelfant  religion,  and  my  heart 
was  in  fuch  a  difpofition,  that  their  words  did  affed:  mc 
more  than  all  the  fermbns  and  moral  fums  ot  the  Ro- 
mijh  church  had  ever  done  before. 

I  knew  a  Captain  iii  the  Spamjh  ajrmv,  Don  Alonf& 
Corfcga  by  name,  who  was  killed  at  the  fiege  ot  Lerida^ 
in  whole  bofom  was  found  (in  a  little  purfc)  the  conle- 
crated  wafer,  for  which  his  body  was  burnt  to  afhes. 
It  is  very  likely,  that  the  poor  man  thinking  to  efcape 
from  death  by  that  means,  he  took  it  out  of  his  mouth 
^vhen  he  went  to  receive,  and  kept  it  as  an  amulet 
againft  the  martial  inftruments,  which  paid  no  refpe(5l 
to  its  fancied  divinity. 

Now  by  thefe  inftances  I  have  given  you  already, 
k  appears,  that  the  praflices  of  the  Romijh  Prielts  in 
the  adminiftration  of  the  Eucharift^  either  to  healthy  or 
fick  people,  arc  only  obferved  for  interciVs  fake,  as 
the  worfhip  and  adoration  given  to  the  confecrated  wa- 
fer tends  only  to  the  increafe  of  their  trealure.  And 
laftly,  the  doctrine  of  tranfubilantiation  and  real  pre- 
fencc  of  Chrill,  which  they  do  endeavour  to  make  the 
pcoj)l?  believe  by  fuppofed  miracles,  is  only  to  cheat 
and  blind  the  poor  laity,  and  raile  in  them  a  great  reve- 
rence and  admiration  of  their  perfons  and  office. 

O  Lord  God,  who  receiveth  into  thy  favour  thofe 
that  fear  thee,  and  do  work  righteoufnefS;  lufftT  not  fo 

many 


to    P  0  F  E  R  r.  193 

many  thoufands  of  innocent  (Deople  to  be  led  in  the  way 
of  error,  but  enlighten  them  with  thy  fpirit,  put  the 
light  of  thy  gofpel  upon  the  candleftick,  that  all  thofc 
who  are  in  darknefs  may  by  that  means  come  to  the 
fafe  way  of  falvation,  and  live  and  die  in  the  profeffioa 
of  thy  truth,  and  the  purity  of  that  perfe6l  religioa 
taught  by  thine  only  fon,  our  Saviour  Jefuo  Chrifl  our 
Lord.     Jmen, 

ARTICLE    IV. 

Of  Purg.atory. 

1  CANNOT  give  a  real  account  of  Purgatoryj  but  I 
will  tell  all  I  know  of  the  pradlices  and  do£lrines 
of  the  Romijh  Priefts  and  Friars,  in  relation  to  that  i- 
maginary  place,  which  indeed  muft  beof  a  vafl  extent, 
and  almoft  infinite  capacity,  if,  as  the  Priefts  give  out, 
there  are  as  many  apartments  in  it,  as  conditions  and 
ranks  of  people  in  the  world  among  Roman- Catholics, 

The  intenfenefs  of  the  fire  in  Purgatory  is  calculated 
by  them,  which  they  fay  is  eight  degrees,  and  that  of 
Hell  only  four  degrees.  But  there  is  a  great  difference 
between  thefe  two  fires  ;  in  this,  viz.  That  of  Purgis- 
tory  (though  more  intenfe,  a^ive,  confuming  and  de- 
vouring) is  but  for  a  time,  of  which  the  fouls  may  be 
freed  by  the  fuffrages  of  MalTes  \  but  that  of  Hell  is  for 
ever  :  In  both  places,  they  fay,  the  fouls  are  torment- 
ed, and  deprived  of  the  glorious  fight  of  God  ;  but  the 
fouls  in  Purgatory  (though  they  endure  a  great  deal 
more  than  thofe  in  Hell)  have  certain  hopes  ot  feeing 
God  fometime  or  other,  and  that  hope  is  enough  to  make 
them  to  be  called  the  bleffedjouls. 

Pope  Adrian  the  third  did  confefs,  that  there  was 
no  mention  of  Purgatory  in  fcripture,  or  in  the  writ- 
ings of  the  holy  Fathers  •,  but  notwithftanding  this, 
the  council  of  Trent  has  fettled  the  dodrine  of  Purgato- 
ry  without  ailedging  any  one  parage  of  the  holy  fcrip- 
ture. 


2o^  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R-K  E  r 

ture,  and  gave  fo  muc!i  liberty  to  Priefts  and  Fri^r^ 
by  ir,  that  they  build  in  that  fiery  palace,  apartments  for 
Kings,  Princes,  Grandees,  Noblemen,  merchants  and 
tradesmen,  for  ladies  of  quality,  for  gentlemen  and 
tradelmen's  wives,  and  for  poor  common  people.  Thefe 
are  the  eight  apartments,  which  anfwer  to  the  eight  de- 
grees of  intenfus  i^nus,  i.  e.  Intenfe  fire ;  and  they* 
make  the  people  believe,  that  the  poor  people  cxily 
endure  the  lead  degree  5  the  fecond  being  greater,  is 
for  gentlewomen  and  tradefmen's  wives,  and  fo  on  to  the 
eighth  degree,  which  being  the  greateft  of  all,  is  referved 
for  Kings.  By  this  wicked  doctrine  they  get  gradually 
MaiTes  from  all  forts  and  conditions  of  people,  in  pro- 
portion to  their  greatnefs.  But  as  the  poor  cannot 
give  fo  many  MaiTcs  as  the  great,  the  lowef!:  chamber 
of  purgatory  is  always  crov/dcd  with  the  reduced  fouls 
of  thofe  unfortunately  fortunate  people,  for  they  fay  to 
them,  that  the  providence  of  God  has  ordered  every  - 
thing  to  the  eafc  of  his  creatures,  and  that  foreft-cing 
that  the  poor  people  could  not  afford  the  fame  number 
of  Malfes  that  the  rich  could,  his  infinite  goodnefs  had 
placed  them  in  the  place  of  iefs  fufferings  in  Purga- 
tory. 

But  it  is  a  remarkable  thing,  that  many  poor,  filly 
tradefmen's  wives,  defirous  of  honor  in  the  next  worlds 
do  afl<:  the  Friars,  whether  the  fouls  of  their  fathers, 
mothers,  or  fifters,  can  be  removed  from  the  fecond 
apartment  (reckoning  from  the  loweft)  to  the  third, 
thinking  by  it,  that  though  the  third  degree  of  fire  is 
greater  than  the  fecond,  yet  the  foul  would  be  better 
pleafed  in  the  Company  of  ladies  of  quality  :  But  the 
v/oril  is,  that  the  Friar  makes  fuch  women  believe, 
that  he  may  do  it  very  cafily,  if  they  give  the  fame  price 
for  a  Mais,  the  ladies  of  quality  do  give.  1  knew  a 
Ihoemaker's  wife,  very  ignorant,  proud,  and  full  of 
pundtilioes  of  honor,  who  went  to  a  Francifcan  Friar, 
and  told  him,  that  fhe  defired  to  know,  whether  her 
©wa  father's  foul  wa«  in  Purgatory  or  not,  and  in  what 

aparcmenc^ 


i9    POPERY.  aoi 

apartment.  The  Friar  afked  her  how  many  Maflcs 
lii;  could  fpare  for  it,  fhe  laid  two  ;  and  the  Friar 
flnfvvertrd,  your  father's  foul  is  among  the  beggars.-— 
Upon  hearing  this,  the  poor  woman  began  to  cry.  and 
defired  the  Friar  to  put  him,  if  pofTibie,  in  the  fourth 
apartment,  and  fh-^  would  pay  him  for  it ;  and  the 
i^antum  being  fettled,  the  Friar  did  promife  to  place 
him  there  the  next  day  :  So  the  poor  woman  cverfincc 
gives  out  that  her  father  was  a  rich  merchant,  for  it  was 
revealed  to  her,  that  his  foul  is  among  the  merchants 
in  Purgatory. 

Now  whatcan  we  fay,  but  that  the  Pope  is  the  chief 
Governor  of  that  vaft  place,  and  Priefts  and  Friars  the 
Quarter- mailers  that  billet  the  fouls  according  to  their 
Own  fancies,  and  have  the  power,  and  give  for  monejr 
the  Kmg's  apartments  to  the  foul  of  a  fhoemaker,  and 
that  of  a  lady  of  quality  to  her  waflier- woman. 

But  mind  reader,  how  chaftethe  Friars  are  in  procu- 
ring a  feparate  place  for  ladies  in  Purgatory  :  They 
fuit  this  do6lrine  to  the  temper  of  a  people  whom  they 
believe  to  be  extremely  jealous,  and  really  not  without 
ground  of  them,  and  fo  no  foul  of  a  woman  can  be 
placed  among  men.  Many  ferlous  people  are  well 
plealed  with  this  Chriflian  caution  ;  but  thofe  that  are 
given  to  pleafure,  do  not  like  it  at  all  \  and  I  knew  a 
pieaiant  young  collegian,  who  went  to  a  Friar,  and  told 
him  :  Father,  I  own,  I  love  the  fair  fcx  ;  and  I  believe, 
that  my  foul  will  always  retain  that  inclination  :  I  am 
told,  ♦:hat  no  m  ^n's  foul  can  be  in  company  with  ladies, 
and  it  is  a  difmal  thing  for  me  to  think,  that  I  mult 
go  there  (bu:  as  for  Hell,  I  am  in  no  danger  of  it,  thanks 
to  the  Pope)  where  I  Ihall  never  fee  any  more  women, 
which  will  prove  the  great^ft  of  torments  for  my  foul  j 
fo  I  have  refolved  to  agree  with  your  Reverence  before- 
hand, upon  this  point.  I  have  a  bill  of  lo  pift  ^les  up-- 
on  Peter  la  Vinna  Banquer^  and  if  you  can  afTune  me, 
cither  to  fend  me  ftraight  to  Heaven,  when  I  die,  or  to 
the  ladies  apartment  in  Purgatory,  you  fhall  have  the 

Z  "         biU  J 


go«  AMASrER'KET 

bill  ;  and  if  you  cannot,  I  mud  fubmit  to  the  will  of 
God,  like  a  good  Chriftij^n.  The  Friar  feeing  the  bill 
which  he  thought  ready  money)  told  him,  that  he  cc  uld 
do  either  of  the  two,  and  that  he  himfelt  might  choofc 
(which  of  the  two  places  he  plcafed.  But  Father  (faid  the 
collegian)  the  cafe  is,  that  1  love  Donna  Terefa  Spi7wla^ 
and  fhe  doth  not  love  me,  and  I  do  not  believe  1  can 
cxpedt  any  favour  from  her  in  this  world,  fo  I  woul4 
know  whether  fhe  is  to  go  before  me  to  Purgatory,  or 
pot  ?  C !  That  is  very  certain  (faid  the  Friar.)  I  choofe 
then  (faid  the  collegian)  the  lady's  apartment,  and  here 
is  the  bill,  rf  you  give  me  a  certificate  under  your  hand, 
that  the  thing  (hall  be  fo  :  But  the  Friar  refufing  to 
give  him  any  authentic  certificate,  the  collegian  laught 
at  him,  and  made  fatirioal  verfes  upon  him,  which  wersj 
printed,  and  which  I  myftlf  read.  I  knew  the  Fria? 
too,  v^ho  being  mocked  publicly,  was  obliged  to  rc-j 
move  from  his  convent  to  another  in  the  country. 

Notwithfranding  a'l  thefe  railleries,  of  which  the  In- 
quifitors  cannot  take  notice,  being  not  againfl:  the  Ca- 
tholic faith  ;  Piiefts  and  Friars  do  daily  endeavour  to 
prove  that  Purgatory  is  a  real  exif^ent  place,  and  thac 
by  MufieSj  the  fouls  detained  in  it  aie  daily  delivered 
out  of  It.  And  this  they  urove  by  many  revelatk)ns 
inade  to  devout,  pious  people  ^  and  by  many  appari- 
tions. 

They  not  only  preach  of  them  publicly,  but  books 
are  printed  of  fuch  revelations  and  apparations.  I  re- 
member many  of  them,  but  I  fhall  not  trouble  the  rea- 
der with  them  •,  only  I  will  tell  fome  of  the  moil  re- 
markable ones  of  my  time. 

In  the  latter  end  of  King  Charles  the  fecond's  reign, 
a  Nun  of  Guadalajara  wrote  a  letter  to  his  Majclly, 
acquainting  him,  tiiat  it  was  revealed  to  her,  by  an  an- 
gel, that  the  foul  of  his  Father,  Philip  the  IV.  was  flili 
in  Purgatory  (all  alone  in  the  royal  apartments)  and 
likewile  in  the  loweft  chamber,  the  faid  King  Fhilip\ 
fhoemakcr,  and.  that  upon  faying  fo  many  Malic s,t>QUit 

fhould 


t9    P  0  P  E  R  r.  20| 

fliould  be  clelivcred  out  of  it,  and  fhonld  go  to  enjoy 
the  riivilhing  plealures  of  an  eternal  lite.  The  Nua 
was'  reputed  a  fiiint  upon  earth,  and  the  fimple  King 
gave  orders  to  his  Gonfeflor  to  fay,  or  order  fo  many 
IVlafirs  to  be  faid,  for  that  purpofe  •,  after  which,  the 
faid  Nun  wrote  again  to  his  Majefiy,  congratulating 
and  wifhing  him  joy  for  the  arrival  of  his  Father  to 
Heaven  ;  but  that  the  fhoemaker,  who  wa^  ieven  de- 
grees lower  than  Fhilip  in  Purgatory,  was  then  {tvi:a 
degrees  higher  than  hi.s  Majeily  in  FJeaven,  becaufe  of 
his  better  life  on  earth,  who  never  had  committed  any 
fm  with  women,  as  Philip  had  done  all  his  life- time, 
but  that  all  was  forgiven  to  him  on  the  account  of  the 
MafTcs. 

Again,  They  give  out  in  the  pulpit,  that  the  Pope 
has  an  abfolute  power  to  make  the  Mafs  eflicacious  to 
deliver  the  foul,  for  which  it  is  faid,  out  of  that  place  ; 
and  that  his  Holinefs  can  take  at  once  ail  the  fouls  ouc 
of  it  ;  as  Pius  the  Vth.  did  (as  they  report)  who, 
when  he  was  Cardmal,  was  mighty  devour,  and  a  greaf 
procurer  of  the  relief  of  fouls,  and  who  had  promifed 
them  with  a  folemn  oath,  that,  if  by  their  prayers  in 
Purgatory  he  fnould  be  chofen  Pope,  then  he  would 
empty  Purgatory  of  all  the  fouls  at  once.  At  laft  by 
the  interceffion  of  the  fouls  with  fjod  Almighty,  he 
was  eledled  Pope,  and  immediately  he  delivered  all  the 
fouls  out  of  that  place  ;  but  that  Jefus  Chrift  was  fo 
angry  with  the  new  Pope,  that  he  appeared  to  him, 
and  bad  him  not  to  do  any  fuch  thing  again,  for  it  was 
prejudicial  to  the  whole  clergy  and  Friarfhip.  That 
Pope  delivered  all  the  fouls  out  of  Purgatory,  by  open- 
ing the  treafure  of  the  church,  in  which  were  kept 
miilions  of  Mafles,  which  the  Pope's  makes  ufe  of  tor 
the  augmenting  the  riches  of  the  holy  See  :  But  he 
took  care  not  to  do  it  again  ;  for  though,  quodcunque 
Jolveritisin  'Terra^  erit^fohitum  &  in  C^hs^  there  is  not 
fpccified  the  fame  power  in  Purgatory,  therefore  ever 
fmcCj  the  Popes  take  no  authority,  nor  liberty   to 

fweep 


gQ4  'JM^STER-KET 

fwcep  Purgatory  at  once,  for  it  would  prove  their  ru^ 
in,  and  reduce  the  clergy  to  poverty. 

When  feme  ignorant  people  pay  for  a  Mafs,  and  arc 
willing  to  know  whether  the  foul,  for  which  the  Mafs 
is  faid,  is,  after  the  Mafs,  delivered  out  of  Purgatory  ; 
the  Friar  makes  them  believe,  that  the  foul  will  appear 
in  the  fig-ure  of  a  moufe  within  the  tabernacle  of  the 
altar,  if  it  is  not  out  of  it,  and  then  it  is  a  fign  that  that 
foul  wants  more  Mafles  -,  and  if  the  moufe  doth  not  ap- 
pear, the  foul  IS  in  Heaven.  So  when  the  Mafs  is  over, 
he  goes  to  the  tabernacle  backwards,  where  is  a  little 
door  with  a  cryftal,  and  lets  the  people  look  through 
it :  But,  O  pitiful  thing  !  They  fee  a  moufe  which  the 
Friars  keep,  (perhaps  for  this  purpofe)  and  fo  the  poor 
fats  give  more  money  for  more  MafTes,  till  they  fee  the 
moufe  no  more.  They  have  a  revelation  ready  at  hand, 
to  fay,  that  iuch  a  devout  perfon  was  told  by  an  angel, 
that  the  foul  for  which  the  Mafs  is  faid,  was  to  appear 
in  the  figure  of  a  moviie  in  the  S.(icr.ario^  or  taberna- 
cle. 

Many  other  P.icds  and  Friars  do  pofitively  affirm, 
and  we  fee  many  inftances  of  it  forged  by  them  in  prin- 
ted books,  that  when  they  confecrate  the  Hoft,  the  lit- 
tle bey  Jelus  doth  appear  to  them  in  the  Hoft,  and  that 
that  is  a  fign  that  the  loul  is  out  (f  Purgatory,  There 
is  a  fine  pidure  of  St.  Anthcny  de  Paula,  with  the  Hoft 
in  his  hand,  and  the  little  Jelus  is  in  the  Hoil,  becaufe 
that  divine  boy  frequently  appeared  to  him  when  he 
faid  Mafs,  as  the  hificry  of  his  life  gives  an  account* 
But  at  the  fame  time,  they  lay,  that  no  layman  can  fee 
the  boy  Jefus,  becaufe  it  is  not  permitted  to  any  man 
but  to  Priefts  to  fee  fo  heavenly  a  fi^ht :  And  by  that 
means  they  give  out  what  fort  ot  ftories  they  pleafe. 
Without  any  lear  of  ever  being  found  out  in  a  I'e. 

As  to  the  fecond  day  i>f  November^  which  is  the  day 
of  the  fouls  of  Purgatory,  in  which  every  Pritfl  and 
Friar  fayeth  three  Maffes  tor  the  delivery  of  fo  many 
fowls  cut  of  the  pains  of  it  ^they   generally  lay)  that; 

from 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  205 

from  three  oF  the  clock  bf  the  firfl  day  of  November 
(all  faint's  day)  till  three  in  the  asternoon,  the  next  day, 
all  the  fouls  are  out  of  Purgatory,  and  entirely  free 
from  the  pains  of  it  •,  (rhoD  four  and  twenty  hours 
b-in-^-  o ranted  by  his  Holinefs  for  a  refreihment  to 
them}  and  that  all  that  while  they  are  in  the  air  di- 
verting themlclves,  anJ  expecting  the  relief  of  fo 
many  Mafies,  to  get  by  t  lem  the  defired  end,  viz. 
The  celeftial  habitations.  On  thcfe  twenty-four  hours, 
they  ring  the  bells  ot  all  the  churches  and  convents, 
which  (as  they  fay)  is  a  great  fufFrat^e  and  help  to  the 
fouls,  and  on  that  day  only,  Priefts  and  Friars  get 
more  money  than  they  get  in  two  months  time  bcfide  ; 
for  every  family,  and  private  peifons  too,  give  yellow- 
wax  candies  to  the  church,  and  monc^y  for  iMafTes  and 
Refponfa^  i.  e.  a  prayer  tor  the  dead,  and  all  thefc 
twenty-four  hours  the  churches  are  crowded  vvith  peo- 
ple, and  the  Priefts  and  Friars  continually  finglncr  pray- 
ers for  the  dead,  and  this  they  call  the  Priejls  and  Fri- 
ars  fair- day.  Which  they  folemnizj"  with  the  continu- 
al ringing  of  the  bells,  though  they  give  out,  that  it  is 
0  fuffrage  tor  the  fouls  of  Purgatory. 

And  on  the  fame  pretence,  there  is  a  man  in  every 
parifti  that  goes  in  the  dark  of  the  evening  through 
all  the  ftreets  with  a  bell,  praying  for  the  fiuls,  and 
afking  charity  for  them  m  every  houfe,  always  ringing 
the  bell  as  a  fuffrage.  The  Duke  of  Of  una  made  a 
wiity  repartee  to  Pope  hmocent  the  Xith,  on  this  fub- 
jed.  The  Duke  was  Ambaflador  for  the  King  of 
Spain  at  Rome^  and  he  had  a  large  bell  on  the  top  of 
his  houfe,  to  gather  his  domedicks  when  he  was  a  go- 
ing out.  Many  Cardinals  lived  by  his  pilice,  and 
complained  to  the  Pope,  that  the  Amb  fTi  ior's  b^Il 
diflurbed  them  ;  (for  the  Duke  ufed  to  order  t )  rin-^ 
the  bell  when  he  knew  the  Cirdinals  were  at  hom^) 
and  the  Pope  fpoke  immediately  to  the  Duke,  ail 
afked  his  Excellency  the  reafon  of  keeping  fo  big  a 
bed  ?  To  which  the  Duke  anfweied,  chat  he  was  a 

very 


f  oS  AMJSTER'KET 

very  good  Chriftian,  and  a  gdod  friend  to  the  fouls  of 
Purgatory,  to  whom  the  ringing  of  the  bell  was  a  iuf-i 
frape.  The  Pope  took  in  good  part  this  raillery,  and 
defi.ed  him  to  make  nfe  ot  forre  other  fignal  to  call 
his  fervants  ;  for  that  of  the  bell  was  very  noify,  and 
a  great  diftuibance  to  the  Cardinals,  his  neighbours  ; 
and  that  if  he  was  fo  good  a  friend  to  the  fouls  of 
Pursatory,  he  would  do  them  more  fervice  by  felling 
the  bell,  and  giving  the  money  for  MafTes. 

To  tell  the  truth,  the  Duke  did  not  care  for  the 
fouls,  but  all  his  defign  was  to  vex  the  Cardinals  :  So 
the  next  day  he  ordered  to  bring  down  the  bell,  and  to 
put  in  the  fame  place  a  cannon,  or  great  piece  of  ord- 
nance, and  to  give  twelve  fhots  every  morning,  and 
twelve  at  midnight,  which  was  the  time  the  Cardinals 
were  at  home.  So  they  made  a  fecond  complaint  to 
the  Pope-,  upon  this,  hefpoke  to  the  Duke  again,  and 
he  anfwered  to  his  Holinefs,  that  the  bell  was  to  be 
fold,  and  the  money  to  be  delivered  to  the  Priefts  for 
MafTes  J  but  that  he  had  ordered  the  cannon  as  a  fuf- 
frage  for  the  fouls  of  the  poor  foldiers  that  had  died  in 
the^defence  of  the  holy  Sec .  The  Pope  was  very  much 
affronted  by  this  anfwer,  and  as  he  was  carefTing  a  lit- 
tle lap-dog  he  had  in  his  arms,  got  up,  and  faid, — ^ 
Duke,  I  take  more  care  of  the  fouls  of  the  poor  foldi^ 
crs  than  you  of  your  own  foul  ♦,  at  which,  the  Duke 
taking  out  of  the  Pope's  arms  the  lap-dog,  and  throw- 
ing him  through  the  window,  faid,  and  I  take  care  to 
Ihew  the  Pope  how  he  ought  to  fpeak  with  the  King 
of  Spai7!^  to  whom  m.ore  refpedl  is  due.  Then  the  Pope 
(knowing  the  refolutenefs  of  the  Duke,  and  that  his 
Holinefs  could  get  nothing  by  an  angry  method,  chofe 
to  let  the  thing  drop  there,  rather  than  to  make  more 
noife:  So  the  Duke  kept  his  cannon  piece,  and  the 
Cardinals  were  obliged  to  remove  their  families  into  a 
more  quiet  place. 

A  Mendicant  Friar  one  day  afl<ed  fome  charity  froni 
the  fame  Duke,  tor  the  fouls  of  Purgatory,  and  faid-^ 

my 

# 


$0     P  O  P  E  R  Ty  fi07 

p\y  Lord,  if  you  put  a  piftole  in  this  plate,  you  fhall 
take  out  of  Purgatory  that  loul  for  which  you  defign 
ijt.  The  Duke  gave  the  piftole,  and  alkcd  the  Friar, 
whether  the  foul  of  his  brother  was  already  out  of  ic  ? 
And  when  the  Friar  faid,  yea ;  the  Duke  took  agaia 
his  piftole,.  and  told  the  Friar,  Now  you  caniwt  put 
his  foul  into  Purgatory  again.  And  it  is  to  be  wifhed 
that  every  one  was  like  that  Duke,  and  had  the  fame 
rcfolutioi  to  fpeak  the  truth  to  the  Pope  himfelf  and 
all  his  quarter- matters. 

I  have  told  in  the  firft  article  of  this  chapter,  that  every 
Friday  is  appointed  to  fay  Maffes  for  the  iouls  in  Purgato- 
^ry,  which  did  belong  to  corporations  of  fraternities,  and 
what  great  profit  Frieft:^,  and  efpecially  Friars,  get  by  it: 
Now,  by  this  infallible  cuftomand  pradice,  we  may  fay, 
that  Purgatory  contains  as  many  corporations  of  fouls,  as 
there  are  corporations  of  tradefmen  here  below,  which  fra- 
ternities are  more  profitable!  to  all  forts  of  communities 
of  Friars,  than  the  living  members  of  them  upon  earth. 
But  fome  of  thefe  people,  either  out  of  pleafantry,  or 
out  of  curiofity,  afk  fometimcs  in  what  part  of  the  worlds 
or  of  the  air,  is  that  place  of  Purgatory  ?  To  which  the 
Friars  anfwer,  that  it  is  between  the  center  of  the  earth 
and  this  earthly  fuperficies  ;  which  they  pretend  to 
prove,  and  m.ake  them  believe  by  revelations,  and  efpe* 
cialiy  by  a  ftory  from  a  Jefuit  Father,  who  in  his  tra- 
vels law  the  earth  open  by  an  earthquake,  and  in  the 
deep  a  great  many  people  of  a  flaming  red  colour,  fron* 
v/hich  nonfenfical  account  they  conclude,  to  blind  the 
poor  people,  that  thofe  were  the  fouls  of  Purgatory  red 
as  the  very  flame  of  lire.  But  obferve,  that  no  Prieft: 
or  Fiiar  would  dare  tell  fuch  ^frivolous  il:ories  to  peo- 
ple of  good  fenfe,  but  to  the  ignorants,  of  which  there- 
are  e^reat  numbers  in  thofe  parts  of  the  world. 

When  they  preach  a  fermon  of  the  iouls,  they  make 
life  of  brimflone,  and  burn  it  in  the  pulpit, faying,  that 
luch  flames  are  like  thofe  of  the  fire  in  Purgatory. — » 
They  make  ufe  of  many  pidures  of  fouls  that  are  i^ 

the 


2o8        i/f    MASTER- KE^ 

the  middle  of  devouring  fire,  lifting  up  their  hands  t6 
Heaven,  as  if  they  were  crying  fur  help  and  afTiftancc. 
They  prove  their  propofitions  with  revflations  and  ap* 
paritions,  for  they  cannot  find  in  the  fcripture  any  paf- 
fage  to  ground  their  audacious  thoughts  on,  and  fucfi 
fcrmons  are  to  the  people  of  ft^nfe  better  diverfion  than 
a  comedy;  for  befides  the  wretchednefs  ofifyle  and 
method,  they  tell  fo  many  fottifh  {lories,  that  they  have 
enough  to  laugh  at  afterwards  for  a  long  while. 

I  went  once  to  hear  an  old  Friar,  who  had  the  namd 
of  an  excellent  preacher,  upon  the  fubjed  of  the  fouls 
in  Purgatory,  and  he  took  his  text  out  of  the  twenty- 
fi-ft  chapter  of  the  Jpoc,  2yth  vt^rfe.  Jnd  there  Jhall 
in  no  wife  enter  into  it  any  thing  that  defileth^  neither 
wbatfoever  worketh  abomination  \  by  which  he  fettled 
the  belief  of  a  Purgatory,  proving  by  fume  lomantick 
authority,  that  fuch  a  pafiage  ought  to  be  underftood 
of  Purgatory,  and  his  chief  authority  was,  becaufe  a 
famous  interpreter,  or  expofitor,  renders  the  text  thus  : 
^here  Jhall  not  enter  into  it  (meaning  Heaven)  any  thing 
which  is  not  proved  by  the  fir  e^  as  diver  is  purified  t?y  it* 
When  he  had  proved  his  text,  he  came  to  divide  it, 
which  he  did  in  thefe  three  heads  :  Firft^  that  the  fouls 
fufFer  in  Purgatory  three  forts  of  torments,  of  which 
the  firfl  was  fire,  and  that  greater  than  the  fire  of  HelL 
Secondly^  to  be  deprived  of  the  face  of  God  :  And  Thirds 
/k,  which  was  the  greateft  of  all  the  torments,  to  fee 
their  relations  and  friends  here  on  earth  diverting  them- 
felves,  and  taking  fo  little,  care  to  relieve  them  out  of 
thofe  terrible  pains.  The  preacher  fpoke  very  little  of 
the  two  firft  points,  but  he  infilled  upon  the  third  a  long 
hour,  taxing  the  people  of  ingratitude  and  inhumanity  ; 
and  that  if  it  was  pcfllble  for  any  of  the  living  to  expe- 
rience, only  for  a  moment,  that  devouring  fl.ime  of 
Purgatory,  certainly  he  would  come  again,  and  fell 
whatever  he  had  in  the  world,  and  give  it  for  MaiTes : 
And  what  pity  it  is  (faid  he)  to  know  that  there  are  the 
fouls  of  many  of  my  hearers  relations  there,  and  none 

of 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r,  209 

©f  them  endeavour  to  relieve  them  out  of  that  place  : 
He  went  on,  and  laid  :  I  have  a  catalogue  of  the  fouls, 
which,  by  revelation  and  apparition,  we  are  fure  are 
in  Puro-atory  •,  for  in  thefirft  place,  the  foul  of  fuch  a 
one  (^ naming  the  foul  of  a  rich  merchant's  father)  did 
appear  the  other  night  to  a  godly  perfon,  in  the  figure 
of  a  pig,  and  the  devout  perfon,  knowing  that  the  door 
of  his  chamber  was  locked  up,  began  to  fprinkle  the 
pig  with  holy  water,  and  conjuring  him,  bad  him 
jpeak,  and  tell  him  what  he  wanted  ?  And  the  pig 
laid,  I  am  the  foul  of  fuch  an  one,  and  I  have  brea 
in  Purgatory  thefe  ten  years  for  want  of  help.  Whea 
I  left  the  world,  I  forgot  to  tell  my  Confeifor  where 
I  left  looo  piftoles,  which  I  had  referved  for  Mafles : 
My  fon  found  them  out,  and  he  is  fuch  an  unnatural 
child,  that  he  doth  not  remember  my  pitiful  condi- 
tion ',  and  nov/  by  the  permilTion  of  Heaven  I  come 
to  you,  and  command  you  to  difcover  this  cafe  to  the 
firft  preacher  you  meet ;  that  he  may  publifh  it,  and 
tell  my  fon,  that  if  he  doth  not  give  that  money  for 
MaiTes  for  my  relief,  I  fhall  be  forever  in  Purgatory, 
and  his  foul  fhall  certainly  go  to  Hell. 

The  fottifh  merchant,  terrified  with  this  (lory,  be- 
lieving every  tittle  of  it,  got  up  before  all  the  people  & 
went  into  the  veftry,  and  when  the  Friar  had  finifhcd, 
"he  begged  of  him  to  go  along  with  him  to  his  houfe, 
where  he  fhould  receive  the  money,  which  he  did  ac- 
cordingly, for  fear  of  a  fecond  thought  ;  and  the 
merchant  gave  freely  the  i  coo  pifloles,  for  fear  thac 
his  father's  foul  fhould  be  kept  in  Purgatory,  and  he 
himfelf  go  to  Hell. 

And  befides  thefe  cheats  and  tricks,  they  make  ufe 
of  themfelves  to  cxa6l  money,  they  have  their  folici- 
tors  and  agents,  that  go  from  one  houfe  to  another,  tel- 
ling ftories  of  apparitions  and  revelations,  and  thefe 
are  they  which  we  call  Beatas  and  Devotas  \  for  as 
their  modeffy  in  apparel,  their  hypocritical  air,  and 
daily  exercifcs  of  confefTing  and  receiving  is  well  known 

A  a  ia 


aio  "A    M  A  S  T  E  R-K  E  T 

in  the  world,  the  common  people  have  fo  good  an  q^ 
pinion  of  them,  that  they  believe,  as  an  article^of  faith, 
whatever  (lories  they  tell,  without  further  inquiry  into 
the  matter :  So  thofe  cunning  difguTed  devils  (or 
worfe)  in  11  runted  by  the  Friar  their  Confeffjr,  go  and 
fpread  abroad  many  of  thefe  apparitions,  b^  which 
they  get  a  great  deal  of  money^for  MafTcs,  which  they 
give  to  the  Father  Confefibr. 

Nay,  of  late,  the  old  Nuns,  thofe  that,  to  their  grief, 
the  world  difpifes,  have  undertaken  the  trade  of  pub- 
lifhing  revelations  and  apparitions  of  fouls  in  Purgato- 
ry, and  give  out  that  fuch  a  foul  is,  and  ihall  be  in  it, 
^till  the  father,  mother,  or  fifter,  go  .  to  fuch  a  Friar, 
and  give  him  fo  many  MalTes,  which  he  is  to  fay  him- 
felf  and  no  other.  And  the  cafe  is,  that  by  agreement 
between  the  old  fkeletoh,  and  the  covetous  Father,  he 
is  to  give  her  one  third  of  all  the  MafTcs  that  he  re- 
ceives by  her  means  and  application.  So  you  fee  the 
nature  of  this  place  of  Purgatory,  the  apartments  in  it, 
the  degrees  of  the  fire  of  it,  the  means  the  Priefls  and 
Friars  make  ufe  of  to  keep  in  repair  that  profitable  pa- 
lace \  and  above  all,  the  ftupidity,  fottiflmels  and 
blindnefs  of  the  people  to  believe  fuch  dreams  as  mat- 
ters of  fa61:.  What  now  can  the  Roman  Catholics 
fay  for  themfelves  ?  I  am  very  much  afraid  that  they 
will  fay  that  I  am  a  deceiver  and  impoflor.  The  Jews 
faid  of  our  Saviour  [John  vii.  v.  12.)  fome,  that  he  was 
a  good  man-,  others  i^iv^,  nay  ^  hut  he  deceiveth  the  people^ 
when  he  was  telling  the  truth.  So  I  ihall  not  be  fur- 
prifed  at  any  calumny  nor  injury  difperfed  by  them  ; 
for  I  am  lure  in  my  confcience,  before  God  and  the 
world,  that  I  write  the  truth.  And  let  no  body  mind 
the  method  in  this  account,  for  now  I  look  upon  the 
pradiices  and  cheats  of  the  Prieils  and  Friars  in  this 
point  of  Purgatory,  as  the  moil  ridiculous,  nonfenfical, 
and  roi^uifi-i  of  all  their  tricks  -,  fo  how  can  a  man  that 
has  been  among  them,  and  now  is  in  the  right  way, 
write  moderately,  and  without  ridiculing  them  ? 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  211 

T  mnd  difmifs  this  article  with  my  addrefs  to  the 
Fapift  Friefls  o(  England  and  Ireland.  Some  of  them 
(immediately  after  my  book  was  piiblifhed  and  read  by 
them.)  did  command  their  parifhoners  in  their  refpedlive 
Mals-houfes  (as  I  was  told  by  afaithfulfriendjnotto  read 
my  book,  fuhpena  excommunicationis.  Others  made  frivo- 
lous remarks  on  ibmeof  my  obiervations  and  matters  of 
fa6t  ;  nay,  a  zealous  Proteftant  having  lent  one  of  niy 
books  to^  a  Roman-Catholic  lady,  flie  gave  it  to  her 
Pricll,  and  defired  his  opinion  about  it.  The  Prieft 
read  it  over,  and  correded  only  five  paiTages  with  his 
hand  in  the  fame  book,  of  which  1  lliall  ipeakin  m.y 
fecond  part.  /Vboye  all,  this  article  ot  Purgatory  is  the 
hardeft  thing  to  them  :  But  they  ought  lo  confider, 
that  Ifpeakonly  of  my  country  people,  and  if  they 
complain,  I  mlill  crave  their  leave  to  fay,  that  by  that, 
they  make  us  believe  that  the  Spanijb  contagion  has 
r-eached  to  them,  &  want  the  fame  remedy  with  iV.t^  Spa- 
niards-^  namely,  a  narrow  fearching  into  the  matter,  &€• 

PART     lY. 

Of  the  hqiiifitors^  and  their  pra5llces, 

IN  the  time  of  King  Ferdinand  the  fifth,  and  Qiieen 
ifahella^  the  mixture  of  Jews^  Moors^  and  Chrijiians 
was  ib  great,  the  relapfes  ot  the  new  converts  fo  fre- 
quent, and  the  corruptions  in  matters  of  religion  \o 
bare-  faced  in  all  forts  and  conditions  of  people,  that 
the  Cardinal  of  Spain.,  that  thought  the  introducing 
the  Inquifition  could  be  the  only  way  of  flopping  the 
courfe  of  wickednefs  and  vice  ;  fo,  as  the  fole  remedy 
to  cure  the  irreligious  praflices  of  thofe  times,  the  Irv 
quifition  was  eflabiifhed  in  the  year  147/,  in  the  court, 
and  many  other  dominions  of  Spain. 

The  Cardinal's  defign  in  giving  birth  to  this  tribu- 
nal, was  only  to  fupprefs  Herefies,  and  chaflife  many 
horrible  crimes  committed  againfl  religion,  viz.  Blas- 
phemy, Sodomy,  Polygamy,  Sorcery,  Sacrilege,  and 
many  others,  which  are  alfo  punifned  ia  thefe  king- 
dom s 


212  A    MASTER^  KET 

doms  by  the  prerogative  court,  but  not  by  making  ufa 
offo  barbarous  means  as  the  Inquifition  doth.  "The 
defign  of  the  Cardinal  was  not  blamable,  being  in  it- 
felf  good,  and  approved  by  all  the  ferious  and  devout 
people  of  that  time  -,  but  the  performance  of  it  was  not 
ioy  as  v/ill  appear  by  and  by. 

I  can  only  fpeak  of  the  inquifition  of  Zaragofa^  for 
as  I  am  treating  of  matters  of  tad,  1  may  tell  with  con- 
fidence what  I  know  of  it,  as  an  eye-witnefs  of  fcveral 
things  done  there.  This  tribunal  is  compofed  of  three 
Inquifitors,  who  are  abfolute  judges  j  for,  from  their 
judgment  there  is  no  appeal,  not  even  to  the  Pope 
himfelf,  nor  to  a  general  council ;  as  doth  appear  from 
what  happened  in  the  time  of  King  Philip  the  fecond, 
when  the  Inquifitors  having  cenfured  the  Cardinal  of 
^oleda^  the  Pope  fent  ior  the  procefs  and  fentence,  but 
the  Inquifitors  did  not  obey  him,  and  though  the  coun- 
cil of  5>^';^/difcharged  the  Cardinal,  notwithflanding, 
they  infifted  on  the  performance  and  execution  of  their 
fentence. 

The  firft  Inquifitor  is  a  divine,  the  fecond,  a  cafuifV, 
and  the  third,  a  civilian  •,  the  firft  and  fecond  are  al- 
ways Priefls,  and  promoted  from  Prebends  to  the 
high  dignity  ot  being  holy  Inquifitors.  .The  third 
fometimes  is  not  a  Prieft,  though  he  is  drefl  in  a  cle- 
rical habit.  The  three  Inquifitors  of  my  time  were, 
firft,  Don  Fedro  Guerrero,  Second,  Don  Francifco 
^orrejon.  Third,  Don  Antonio  Aliaga.  This  tribu- 
nal hath  a  high  fherifP,  and  God  knov/s  how  many  con- 
ilables  &  under  officers,  befides  the  officers  that  belong 
to  the  houfe,  and  that  live  in  it^  they  have  likewile 
an  executioner  i  or  we  may  fay,  there  are  as  many 
executioners,  as  officers  and  judges,  &c.  befides  thcfe, 
there  are  many  Sjjalificators  and  Familiares^  of  which 
I  will  give  an  account  by  themfelves. 

The  Inquifitors  have  a  defpotic  power  to  command 
every  living  foul  •,  and  no  excufe  is  to  be  given,  nor 
contradiftion  to  be  made,  to  their  orders  j  nay,  the 

people 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  21^ 

people  have  not  liberty  to  fpeak,  nor  complain  in  their 
misfortunes,  and  therefore  there  is  a  proverb  which  fays. 
Con  la  Inquifition  Chiton  :  Do  not  meddle  with  the. 
Inquifition  ♦,  or,  as  to  the  Inquifition,  fay  nothing.— - 
This  will  be  better  underftood  by  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  method  they  make  ufe  of  for  the  taking 
up  and  arrefting  the  people  -,   which  is  thus  : 

When  the  Inquifitors  receive  an  information  againfl: 
any  body,  which  is    always  in  private,  and  with  luch 
fecrecy  that  none  can  know   who  the  informer  is  (for 
all  the  informations  are  given   in  at  night)  they  fend 
their  officers  to  the  houfe  of  the  accufr^d,  moil  com- 
monly at  midnight,  and  in   a  coach :  They  knock  ac 
the  door,  (and  then  all  the  family  is  in  bed)  and  when 
fome  body  aflcs  from  the  windows  who  is  there  ?  The 
officers  fay,  the  holy  Inquifition.     At  this  word,  he  that 
anfwered,  v/ithout  any  delay,  or  noiie,  or  even  the  li- 
berty   of  giving  timely    notice  to  the  maftcr  of  the 
houie,  comes  down  to  open  the  door.     I  fay,  without 
the  liberty  of  giving  timely  notice  ;  for  when  the  In- 
quifitors fend   the  officers,  they  are  fure,  by  the  fpies, 
that  the  perfon  is  within,  and  if  they  do  not  find  the 
accufed,  they  take  up  the  v/hole  family,  and  carry  thetn 
to  the  Inquifition  :  So  the  anfwercr  is   with  good  rea- 
fon  afraid  of  making  any  delay  in   opening  the  ftreet 
door.     Then  they  go  up  (lairs  and  arreft  the  accufed 
without  telling  a  word,  or  hearing  a  word  from  any  of 
the  family,  and  with  great  fiience,  putting  him  into  the 
coach,  they  drive  to   the  holy   prifon.     if  the  neigh- 
bours by  chance  hear  the  noife  of  the  coach,  they  daret 
not  go  to  the  window,  for  it  is  well  known,  that  noo-- 
ther  coach  but  that  of  the  Inquifition  is  abroad  at  that, 
time  of  the  night;  nay,  they  are  fo  much  afraid,  that 
they  dare  not  even  to  afk  the  next  mc rnincr  their  nei^^h- 
bours  any  thins  about  it,  for   thofe  that  talk  of  any. 
thing  that  the  Inquifition  doth,  are  liable  to  undergo 
the  lame  puniffiment,  and  this,  may  be,  the  night  fol- 
lowing.    So  if  the  aceufed  be  the  daughter^  fon,  or 

father. 


g  14  'A    M  A  S  T  E  R-K  E  r 

father,  &c.  and  fome  frieads  or  relations  go  in  the 
morning  to  fee  that  fatnily,  and  afk  the  occafion  of 
their  tears  and  grief,  they  do  anf-A^er  that  their  daugh- 
v/as  floien  away  the  night  before,  or  that  the  fjn,  or 
father  or  mother  (whoever  the  prifoner  be)  did  not 
come  home  the  night  before,  and  that  they  fufpcd:  he 
was  murdered,  ^c.  This  anfwer  they  give,  becauie 
they  cannot  tell  the  truth,  without  expofing  them'elves 
to  the  fame  misfortune-,  and  not  only  this,  but  they 
cannot  goto  the  Inquifidon  to  inquire  for  the  prifon- 
er, for  they  would  be  confined  for  that  alone.  So  all 
the  comfort  t-he  family  can  have  in  fuch  a  cafe,  is  to 
imagine  that  the  prifoner  is  in  China,  or  in  the  remoteft 
part  Oi  the  v/orld,  or  in- Hell,  wherein  Nullus  or  do  fed 
Jempiternus  horror  inhabitat.  This  is  the  reafon  why 
no  body  knows  the  perfons  that  are  in  the  Inquifition 
till  th^  fentence  is  publifhed  and  executed,  except  thofe 
Friefts  and  Friars  fummoned  to  hear  the  trial. 

The  Qualificators  and  Familiaries  v/hich  arc  in  the  city 
and  country,  upon  neceffity,  have  full  power  tofecurc 
any  perfon  lufpedled  with  tho  fame  fecrecy,  and  commit 
him  to  the  neareft  Commifiary  of  the  holy  office  of  the 
Inquifition,  and  he  is  to  take  care  to  fend  him  lafcly 
to  the  prifon  ;  which  is  all  done  by  night,  and  without 
any  fear  that  the  people  fhould  deliver  the  prifoner, 
nay,  or  even  talk  of  it. 

^Mlificators^ 
Are  thofe,  that  by  order  from  the  Inquifitors,  exa- 
mine the  crimes  committed  by  the  prifoners.againft  the 
Catholic  faith,  and  give  their  opinions  or  cenfuies  about 
K  :  They  are  obliged  to  fecrecy,  as  well  as  other  peo- 
ple ;  'but  as  the  number  of  them  is  great,  the  Inquifi-  , 
tors  mod  commonly  make  ufe  of  ten  or  twelve  of  the 
moft  learned  that  are  in  the  city,  in  difficult  cafes  ; 
but  tlifs  is  only  a  formality,  for  their  opinions  and  cen- 
fures  are  not  regarded,  the  Inquifitors  themfelves  be- 
ing the  abfolute  decifive  judges.     The  diftinguifliing 

mark 


to      P   0  P   E  R  r.  21/; 

'mark  of  a  Slualifcator  is  the  Crofs  of  the  hobj  office, 
which  is  a  medal  of  pure  gold  as  big  as  a  thirteen,  with 
a  Crofs  in  the  middle,  half  white,  and  half  black, 
which  they  wear  before  their  bread;  but  in  public  func- 
tions or  proceilions,  the  Priefis  and  Friars  wear  another 
bige:erCrofs  of  embroidery  on  their  cloaks,  or  habits.  To 
be  ^alificator  is  a  great  honor  to  his  whole  family  and  re- 
lations, for  this  is  a  public  teilimony  of  the  old  Chri- 
llianity,  and  pure  blood  (as  they  call  it)  of  the  fami- 
No Nobleman  covets  the  honor  of  being  a  Qiialifi- 
cator,  for  they  are  all  ambitious  of  the  Crofs  ot  St. 
James^  of  Alcantara^  of  Calatrava^  of  Malta,  and  the 
golden  Fleece^  which  are  the  five  orders  of  the  nobility  ^ , 
fo  the  honor  of  a  Slualificator  is  for  thofe  people,  who 
though  their  families  being  not  well  known,  are  defi- 
rous  to  boaft  of  their  antiquity  andChriftianifm,  tho% 
to  obtain  fuch  honor,  they  pay  a  great  fum  of  money : 
For,  in  the  firft  place,  he  that  defireth  to  be  a  ^altfi- 
cator,  is  to  appear  before  the  Holy  Tribunal,  to  make 
a  public  profeiTion  of  the  Catholic  faith,  and  to  ac- 
knowledge the  Holy  Tribunal  for  the  fupreme  of  all 
others,  and  the  Inquifuors  for  his  own  judges.  This 
is  the  firft  ftep  :  After,  he  is  to  lay  down  on  the  table 
the  certiiicate  of  his  baptifm,  and  the  nanies  of  his  pa- 
rents for  four  generations  ;  the  towns  artd  places  of 
their  former  habitations  ;  and  two  hundred  pilloles 
for  the  expences  in  taking  informations. 

^  This  done,  he  goes  home  till  the  Inquifuors  fend  for 
him,  and  if  they  do  dot  fend  for  him  in  fix  months  time 
helofeth  the  money,  and  all  hopes  of  ever  getting  the 
Crofs  oi  ^alificaior  ;  and  this  happens  very  often  for 
the  reafons  I  lliall  give  by  and  by. 

Tie  Inquifitors  fend  their  CommiiTaries  into  all  the 
places  of  the  new  proponant  anceftors,  where  they  may 
get  fome  account  of  their  lives  and  converfations,  and 
of  the  purity  of  their  blood,  and  that  they  never  were 
mixt  with  Jewijh  families,  nor  heretics^  ai)d  that  they 

were 


were  old  Chrillians.  Thefe  examinations  are  perforrtl- 
ed  in  the  mod  rigorous  and  fevere  manner  that  can  be  ; 
for  if  fome  ot  the  inlormsrs  and  witnelTcfs  are  in  a  falfi- 
ty,  they  are  put  into  the  Inquificion  ^  fo  every  body 
•gives  the  report  concerning  the  family  in  queflion,  with 
great  caution,  to  the  bell  of  his  knov/ledge  and  me- 
mory. When  the  commifTlirics  hav^j  taken  the  neceffa^ 
ry  informations  with  witnefffs  of  a  good  name,  they 
examine  the  parifh  book,  and  take  a  copy  of  the  an- 
Cfcftors  names,  the  year  and  day  of  their  marriag;es,  and 
the  year,  day,  and  place  of  their  burials.  The  com- 
xnifiaries  then  return  to  the  Inquifitors  with  all  the  ex- 
aminations, witnefles,  proofs  and  convi6lions  of  the  pu- 
rity and  ancient  Chriftianity  of  the  proponant's  families, 
for  four  generations ;'  and  being  again  examined  by 
the  three  Inquifitors,  if  they  find  them  real  and  faithful, 
then  they  fend  the  fame  commifTaries  to  inquire  into  the 
character,  life,  and  converfation  of  the  pojlulant^  or  de- 
manding perfon,but  in  this  point  the  commifTaries  pafs  by 
many  perfonal  failings,  fo  when  the  report  is  given  to 
the  holy  Inquifitiors,  they  fend  for  the pqflulanl^  and  ex- 
axamine  him  concerning  the  matters  of  faith,  the  holy 
fcriptures,  the  knowledge  of  the  ancient,  fathers  of  the 
church,  moral  cafes,  all  which  is  but  mere  formality, 
^or  the  generality  of  the  holy  Fathers  themfelves  do  not 
take  much  pains  in  the  ftudy  of  thofe  things,  and  there- 
fore the  pofiulant  is  not  afraid  of  their  nice  qutflions,  nor 
very  folicitous  how  to  refolve  them. 

When  the  examination  is  over,  they  order  the  fecre- 
tary  to  draw  the  patent  of  the  grant  of  the  holy  Crofs 
to  fuch  an  one,  in  regard  to  his  families  old  purity  of 
blood  and  Chriftianity,  and  to  his  perfonal  parts  and 
religious  converfation,  certifying  in  the  patent,  that  for 
four  generations  paft,  none  of  his  father's  or  mother's 
relations  were  at  all  fufpe^ted  in  points  concerning  the 
holy  Catholic  Roman  faith ^  or  mixt  with  JewiJIj^  or  He- 
retical blood. 

The  day  following,  the  fojiuknt  appears  before  the 
"  affemhly 


to    P  O  P  E  RT.  217 

afPrmbly  of  ^al^ficators  in  the  Hall  of  the  Inqnifition, 
and  the  fitft  Inquifitor  celebrates  the  Mafs  aflifted  by 
two  ^laiificators^  as  Deacon  and  Subdeacon.  One  of 
the  oldeft  Brethren  preacheth  a  lermon  on  that  occafi- 
on,  and  when  the  Mafs  is  over,  they  make  a  fort  of 
pfoceflion  in  the  fame  Hali,  and  after  it,  the  Inquifitor 
gives  the  book  of  the  gofpel  to  the  Pojiuknty  and 
makes  him  fwear  the  ufual  oaths  ;  which  done,  the 
Pojiulant^  on  his  knees,  receiveth  the  Crofs,  or  Medal, 
from  the  hands  of  the  Inquifitors,  who,  with  a  black 
ribbon,  puts  it  on  the  PoJlulant^s>  neck,  and  begins  to 
iing  "Te  Deum^  and  the  colled:  of  thanks,  which  is  the 
end  of  the  ceremonies.  Then  all  the  afliftant  ^aliji^ 
caters  congratulate  the  new  brother,  and  all  go  up  to 
the  Inquificor's  apartment  to  drink  chocolate,  and  af- 
ter that,  every  one  to  his  own  dwelling  place. 

The  new  ^talijicator  dineth  with  the  Inquifitors 
that  day,  and  atter  dinner  the  Secretary  brings  in  a  bill 
of  all  the  fees  and  expences  of  the  informations  j  which 
iie  mufb  clear  before  ne  leaves  the  Inquifition.  Mod: 
commonly  the  whole  comes  to  four  hundred  pifloles, 
including  the  two  hundred  he  gave  in  ihc  beginning ; 
but  fometimes  it  comes  toathoufand  pift^^les,  to  thofe 
whofc  anceftors-  families  were  out  of  the  kingdom,  for 
then  the  CoramifTaries  expend  a  great  d^al  more  :  And 
if  it  happen  they  find  the  leafl:  fpot  of  Jewdaifm,  or 
Herefy,  infome  relation  of  the  family,  the  Comm  fi^a- 
ries  do  not  proceed  any  further  in  the  examinations, 
but  come  back  again  to  the  Inquifition  immediately, 
and  then  the  Pofiuiant  is  never  fent  for  by  the  Iriquifi- 
tors,  who  keep  the  two  hundred  poftoles  for  pious 
ufes. 

Familiares 

Are  always  lay-men,  but  of  good  fenfe  and  educa- 
tion. Thcfe  wear  the  fame  Crofs,  and  for  the  i>rant- 
ing  of  it,  the  Inquifitors  make  the  fame  informations 

B  b  and 


2i8  A    M  A  S  T  E  R-K  E  r 

and  proofs  as  they  make  for  ^alificators.  The  ho- 
nor and  privileges  are  the  fame  ;  for  they  are  not  fub- 
jed  but  to  the  tribunal  of  the  Inquifition.  Their  bu- 
fmeffes  are  not  the  fame  ;  for  they  arc  only  employed 
in  gatherinpr  together,  and  inquiring  a^ter  all  books  a- 
gainft  the  Catholic  faith,  and  to  watch  the  adlions  of 
fufpe£i:ed  people.  They  take  a  turn  fometimes  into 
the  country,  but  then  they  do  not  wear  their  Crofs  o- 
penly  tilloccafion  requires  it.  They  infinuate  them- 
felves  into  all  companies,  and  they  will  even  fpeak  a- 
gainll  the  Inquifition,  and  again  ft  religion,  to  try  whe- 
ther the  people  are  of  th:U  fentiment  •,  in  fhort,  they 
are  fpies  of  the  Inquifitors.  They  do  not  pay  fo  much 
z^ih^  ^mlificators^  for  the  hi^nor  of  the  Crofs,  but 
they  are  obligtd  to  take  a  turn  i*ow  &  then  in  the  coun- 
try, at  their  own  expences.  They  are  not  fo  many  in 
number  as  the  ^jtaltficators,  for  in  a  trial  of  the  Inqui- 
fition, where  all  ought  to  be  prefent,  I  did  reckon  once 
one  hundred  and  fixty,  and  twice  as  many  '^alificators, 
I  faw  the  lift  of  them  both  ;  i.  e.  of  the  whole  kincr- 
dom  of  Arragon.,  wherein  are  Qualijicators^oi  thefecular 
Priefts,  243,  and  of  the  regular,  406,  Familiares  208. 
The  royal  caftle,  formerly  the  palace  of  the  Kingot 
Arragon^  called  Aljaferia^  was  given  to  the  Inquifitors 
to  hold  their  tribunal  there,  and  prifon  too.  The  beft 
apartments  were  for  the  three  Inquifitors  and  their  fa- 
milies, the  reft  for  the  Sheriff  and  fubaltern  officers,  k 
is  a  rnuflvet  fhot  diftant  from  the  city  on  the  river  fide. 
But  after  the  battle  of  Almanza,  when  the  Duke  of 
Orleans  came  as  GeneralifTimo  of  the  ^^anijh  and  French 
army,  he  thought  that  place  neceftary  to  put  a  ftrong 
garrifon  in  ♦,  fo  he  made  the  Marquifs  de  Torfy  Gover- 
nor of  the  fort  of  AJjaferia,  and  turned  out  the  Inqui- 
fitors, who  being  obliged,  by  force,  to  quit  their  apart- 
ments, they  took  a  large  houfe  near  the  Carmelites 
Convent ;  but  two  months  after,  finding  that  the  place 
was  not  fafe  enough  to  keep  the  prifoners  in,  they  re- 
moved to  the  palace  of  the  Earl  of  Tuentes^  in  the  great 

llreet 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  219 

llrfet  called   Cofo^  out  of  which  they  were  turned  by 
Monfieur  de  Legal,  as  I  Ihall  tell  by  and  by. 

A  form  of  their  public  trial. 

IF  a  trial  is  to  be  made  publicly  in  the  hall  of  the 
Holy  Office,  the  Inqulfitors  fummon  two  Piiefts 
out  of  every  parifh  church,  and  two  regular  Priefts  cue 
of  every  Convent  :  All  the  ^alificators  and  Familia* 
res  that  are  in  the  ciiy  :  The  Sheriff,  and  all  the  un- 
der officers  :  The  Secretary,  and  three  Inquifitors  : 
All  the  aforefaid  meet  at  the  common  hall  on  the  day 
appointed  for  the  trial,  at  ten  in  the  morning.  The 
hall  is  hung  in  black,  without  siny  windows,  or  light, 
but  what  comes  in  through  the  door.  At  the  front 
there  is  an  image  of  our  Saviour  on  the  Crofs,  under  a 
black  velvet  canopy,  and  fix  candlefticks  with  fix  thick 
yellow  wax  candies  on  the  altar's  table  :  On  one  fide 
there  is  a  pulpit,  with  another  candle,  where  the  Se- 
cretary reads  the  crimes  ;  three  chairs  for  the  three 
Inquifitors,  and  round  about  the  hall,  feats  and  chairs 
for  the  fummoned  Priefts,  Friars,  Familiarcs,  and  o- 
ther  ofiicers. 

When  the  Inquifitors  are  come  in,  an  under  officer 
crieth  out,  Siknce^filence,  fjence  ;  the  holy  Fathers  are 
comings  and  from  that  very  time,  till  all  is  over,  nobo- 
dy fpeaks,  nay,  nor  fpits,  and  the  thought  of  the  place 
puts  every  body  under  refped,  fear,  and  attention. — 
The  holy  Fathers,  v/ith  their  hats  on  their  heads,  and 
ferious  countenances,  go,  and  kneeling  down  before  the 
altar,  the  firfi  Inquifitor  begins  to  give  out,  Veni  Cre- 
ator  Spiritus,  Mentes  tuoruni  vifita^  &c.  And  the  con- 
gregation fing  the  reft,  and  the  colledt  being  faid  by 
him  alfo,  every  body  fits  down.  The  Secretary  then 
goes  up  to  the  pulpit,  and  the  holy  Father  rings  a 
Imall  filver  bell,  which  is  the  fignal  for  bringing  in  the 
criminal.  What  is  done  afterwards  will  be  known  by 
the  following  trials  and  inftances,  at  which  1  was  pre- 

fcnC 


220  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R-K  E  T 

fent,  being  one  of  th^  youngeft  Priefts  of  the  Cathe- 
dral, and  therefore  obliged  to  go  to  thefe  difmal  tras^e- 
dies  ;  in  which,  the  firft  thing,  after  the  criminal  comes 
in,  and  kneels  down  before  the  Inqiiificors,  who  re- 
ceives a  fevere,  bitter  corrredion  from  the  firft  Inqui- 
fitor,  who  meafures  it  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
crimes  committed  by  the  criminal  ;  of  all  which,  to 
the  bed  of  my  memory,  I  will  give  an  account  in  the 
firll  trial. 

Trid  I. 

OT  the  Reverend  Father,  Jofeph  Silvejire, 
Francifcan  Friar  ;  and  the  Mother  Mary 
of  Jefus,  Abbefs  of  the  monaftery  of  Epila^ 
of  Francifcan  Nuns.' Father  Jofepb  was  a  tall  lufty 
man,  40  years  of  age,  and  had  been  12  years  ProftiTor 
of  philofophy  and  divinity  in  the  great  Convent  of  St. 
Francis,^  Sor  Mary  w^ls  32  years  old,  mighty  witty, 
and  of  an  agreeable  countenance.  Thcle  two  crimi- 
nals were  dreft  in  brown  gowns,  painted  all  over  with 
flames  of  fire,  reprefenting  Hell,  a  thick  rope  tied  about 
their  necks,  and  yellow  wax  candles  in  their  hands. 
Both,  in  this  dull  appearance,  came  and  proftrated 
themlelves  at  the  Inquifitors  feet,  and  the  firft  holy  Fa- 
ther begqn  to  corred  them  in  the  following  words  : 

Unworthy  creatures,  how^  can  our  Cathclic  Roman 
jaith  be  prelerved  pure,  if  thofe  who,  by  their  oftice 
and  m>inifiry,ought  to  recommend  its  obfervance  in  the 
moft  earneft  manner,  are  not  only  the  firft,  but  the 
greattft  tranlgreftors  of  it  ?  Thou  that  teacheft  another 
not  to  fteal,  not  to  commit  fornication,  doft  thou  fteal, 
and  commit  iacrilege,  which  is  worfe  than  fornica- 
tion ?  In  thefe  things  we  could  Giew  you  pity  and  com- 
paffDn  ;  but  as  to  the  tranfgrtirions.of  the  exprefs  com- 
mandments cf  our    church,  and   the  refped:  due  to  us 

the 

*  5.r  is  a  title  given  to  the  Nuns,  which  anfwers  to  ^ijier,  as 
eonr  f?  Uqv^  the  Latin  ^orar^ 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  221 

the  judges  of  the  holy  tribunal,  we  cannot-,  therefore 
your  lentence  is  pronounced  by  thefe  holy  Fathers  of 
pity  and  compafTion,  Lords  Inquifitors,  as  you  lliall 
hear  now,  and  afterwards  underoo. 

Sor  Mary  was  in  a  flood  of  tears,  but  Father  7^y2'/)<^, 
who  was  a  learned  man,  with  great  boldneis  anci  affur- 
ance,  faid,  what,  do  you  call  yourfelves  holy  Fathers 
of  pity  and  compaflion  ?  I  fay  unto  you,  that  you  are 
three  devils  on  earth.  Fathers  of  all  manner  of  mifchief, 
barbarity,  and  lewdnefs.  No  Inquifitors  were  ever 
treated  at  fuch  a  rate  before,  and  we  were  thinking  that 
Friar  Jojeph  was  to  fulf-r  fire,  for  this  high  affront  to 
them.  But  Don  Pedro  Guerrero^  firft  judge,  though  a 
levere,  haughty,  paflionate  man,  ordered  only  a  gag, 
or  bit  of  a  bridle  to  put  in  his  mouth,  but  Friar  Jojeph 
flying  into  a  fury,  faid,  1  difpife  all  your  torments,  for 
my  crimes  arc  not  againft  you,  but  againft  God,  who  is 
the  only  judge  of  my  confcience,  and  you  do  yet  worle 
things.  &c. 

The  Inquifitors  ordered  to  carry  him  to  prifon,  while 
the  crimes  and  fentence  were  reading.  So  he  was  car- 
ried in,  and  the  Nun  with  great  humility  heard  the 
accu ration  and  fentence. 

The  Secretary,  by  order,  begun  to  read,  \fi.  That 
Friar  Jofeph  was  made  Father  ConfelTor  and  Sor  Mary 
Mother  Abbefs.  That  in  the  beginning  they  fhewed 
a  great  example  of  humility  and  virtue^  to  the  Nuns ; 
but  afterwards,  all  this  zeal  of  theirs  did  appear  to  be 
mere  hypocrify,  and  a  cover  for  their  wkked  anions ; 
for  as  flie  had  a  grate  in  the  wall  of  Friar  Jofeph's  room, 
they  both  did  eat  in  private,  and  faft  in  public  :  That 
the  laid  Friar  Jo[eph  was  found  in  bed  with  Sor  Marj 
by  fuch  a  Nun,  and  that  ihc  was  found  with  child,  and 
took  a  remedy  to  prevent  the  public  proof  of  it.  That 
both  Friar  Jofepb  and  Sor  Mary  had  robbed  the  trea-. 
lure  of  the  Convent,  and  that  one  day  they  were  con. 
tnvmg  how  to  go  away  into  another'country,  and  that 
they  had  fpoken  in  an  irrevererit  manner  of  the  Pope 
and  Inquifitors.  jj^^g 


222  AMASTER^KET 

This  was  the  whole  accufation  againft  them,  which 
Friar  Jofeph  and  Sor  Mary  had  denied  before,  faying, 
it  was  only  hatred  and  malice  of  the  informers  againft 
tiiem,  and  defired  jhe  witneflc^s  to  be  produced  before 
them  •,  but  this  being  againft  the  cuftom  of  the  holy 
ofHce,  the  holy  Fathers  had  pronounced  the  fentence ; 
viz.  That  Friar  Joieph  ftiould  be  deprived  of  all  the 
honors  of  his  order,  and  of  adtive  and  pafTive  voice,  and 
be  removed  to  a  country  Convent,  and  be  whipped 
three  times  a  week,  for  the  fpace  of  fix  weeks.  That 
Bor  Mary  fhould  be  depriv(?d  of  her  Abbacy,  and  re- 
moved into  another  monaftry  :  This  punilhment  being 
only  for  their  audacious  and  unrerpc<5tful  manner  of 
talking  againil  the  Pope  and  Inquiiitors. 

Indeed,  by  this  fentence  we  did  believe,  that  the 
crimes  they  were  charged  with,  were  only  an  Inventioa 
of  the  malicious  Nuns ;  but  poor  Friar  Jofeph  did  fuffer 
for  his  indifcretion,  for  though  the  next  day,  the  Inqui- 
fitors  gave  out  that  he  efcaped  out  of  the  prifon,  we  did 
really  believe  he  had  been  ftrangled  in  the  Inquifition, 

This  was  the  firft  trial  I  was  prefent  at,  and  the 
fecond  was  that  oi ^Mary  Guerrero  and  Friar  Michael 
Navarro^  of  which  1  have  given  an  account  in  the  chap- 
ter of  Auricular  Confeffim,  After  thefe  two  trials,  the 
Inquifitors  were  turned  out  by  Monfieur  de  Legale  and 
for  eight  months  we  had  no  Inquifition.  How  this 
thing  happened,  is  worthy  of  obfervation,  therefore  I 
fhall  give  a  particular  account  of  it,  that  I  may  not  de- 
prive the  public  of  fo  pleafant  a  ftory. 

In  1706,  after  the  battle  of  Akmnza^  the  Spanijb 
army  being  divided  in  two  bodies,  one  of  them  thro* 
the  kingdom  oi  Valencia^  to  the  frontiers  of  Catalonia^ 
commanded  by  the  Duke  of  Berwick^  and  other  com- 
pofed  of  the  French  auxiliary  troops,  14000  in  number, 
went  to  the  conqueft  of  yfrr^^<?;z,whofe  inhabitants  had 
declared  themlelves  for  King  Charles  the  ^d»  The  body 
of  French  troops  was  commanded  by  his  highnels  the 
Duke  of  Orleans y  who  was   the  Generaliflimo  of  the 

whole 


/«?    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


223 


whole  army.  Before  he  came  near  the  city,  the  magi- 
flrates  went  to  meet  him,  and  offered  the  keys  of  the 
city,  but  he  refufed  them,  faying,  he  was  to  enter  it 
through  a  breach  •,  and  fo  he  did,  treating  the  people 
as  rebels  to  their  lawful  King  :  And  when  he  had  or- 
dered ""all  "the  civil  and  military  affairs  of  the  city, 
he  went  down  to  the  frontiers  of  Catalonia,  leaving  his 
Lieutenant  General  Monfieur  de  Jofreville  Governor 
of  the  town.  But  this  Governor  being  a  mild  tcm.per- 
ed  man,  he  was  loth  to  follow  the  orders  left  with 
him,  as  to  the  contribution  money  :  So  he  was  called 
to  the  army,  and  the  Lientcnant  General  Moniieur 
de  Legal  came  in  his  place.  The  city  was  to  pay  1000 
crowns  a  month,  for  the  Duke's  table,  and  every  houle 
a  piftole,  which  by  computation  m.ade  up  the  fum  of 
i3ooo  pilfoles  a  month,  which  were  paid  eight  months 
together,  befides  this,  the  Convents  were  to  a  pay  a 
Donative^  or  gift  praportionable  to  their  rents.  The 
college  of  Jefuits  were  charged  2000  piftoles ;  the 
.Dominicans  1000,  Auguflins  1000,  Carmelites  looo, 
&c.  Monfieur  de  Legal  fent  fiiil  to  the  Jefuits^  who 
refufed  to  pay,  faying,  that  it  was  againfl  the  ecclefi- 
aftical  immunity  :  But  Legal  not  acquainted  with  thofe 
fort  of  excufes,  did  fend  four  companies  of  grenadiers 
to  quarter  in  their  college  at  difcretion  :  The  Father 
fent  immediately  an  expreis  to  the  King's  f'ather  Con- 
felTor,  who  was  a  Jefuit^  with  complaints  about  the 
cafe  :  But  the  grenadiers  did  make  more  expedition 
in  their  plundering,  and  mifchiefs,  than  the  courier  did 
in  his  journey.  So  the  Fathers  feeing  the  damage  all 
their  goods  had  already  received,  and  fearing  fome  vio- 
lence upon  their  treafure,  went  to  pay  Monfieur  Legal 
the  2000  piftoles  as  a  Donative. 

Next  to  this  he  fent  to  the  Dorninicans.  The  Fri^s 
of  this  order  are  all  Fa?nil:ares  of  the  holy  ofBce,  and 
depending  upon  it,  they  did  excufc  themfelves  in  a  ci- 
vil manner,  faying,  they  had  no  money,  and  if  Monfi- 
eur de  Legal,  had  a  mind  to  infift  upon  the  demand  of 

the 


224  A    M  A  S  f  E  R-K  E  r 

the  1000  plftoles  they  could  not  pay  them,  without  fend- 
ing to  him  thefilver  bodies  of  the  faints.     The  Friars 
thought  by  this  to  frighten  Monfieur  de  Legale  and  if  he 
was  fo  refolute,  as  p  accept  the  offer,  to  fend  the  faints 
in  a  procefTion,  and  raife  the  people,  crying  out  Herefy^ 
Hcrejy.    Be  Legal  anfwered  to  the  Friars,  that  he  was 
obhged  to  obey   the  Duke's   orders,  and  fo  he  would 
receive  the  filver  faints  :   So  the  Friars  all  in  a  folema 
procefTion,    and   with   lighted   candles  in  their  hands, 
carried  the  faints  to  the  Governor  Legal:  And  as  foon 
as  he  heard  of  this  public  devotion  ot  the  Friars,  he  or- 
dered immediately  four  companies  of  grenadiers  to  line 
the  Ilreets  on  both  fides,  before  his  houfe,  and  to  keep 
their  fuzees  in  one  hand,  and  a  lighted  candle  in   the 
other,  to  receive  the  faints  with  the  fame  devotion  and 
veneration.     And   though  the   Friars  endeavoured  to 
raife  the  people,  no  body  was  fo  bold  as  to  expofethem- 
felves  to  the  army,  there  being  left  b'  regiments  to  keep 
the  mob  under  fear  and  fubjedlion.   Legal  received  the 
faints,  and  fent  them    to  the  mint,    promifing  the  Fa- 
ther Piror  to  give  him  wl^at  remained  above  the  looo 
pifloles.     The  Friars  being  difappointed  in  their  pro- 
jed:  of  raifing  the  people,  went  to   the    Inquificors   to 
defire  them  to   releafc   immediately  their  faints  out  of 
the  mint,   by  excommunicating  Monfieur  de   Legacy 
which  the  Inquifitors  did   upon  the  fpot  \  and  the  ex- 
communication   being  drawn   and  figned,   they  gave 
flridl  orders  to  their  fecrctary  to  go  &  read  it  before  Mon- 
fieur de  Legale  which  he  did  accordingly  :   And  Mon- 
fieur the  Governor,  far  from  flying  into  a  paffion,  with 
a  mild  countenance  took  the  paper  from  the  Secretary, 
and  faid  •,  pray,  tell  your  malfers,  the  Inquifitors,  that 
I  willanfwer  them  to-morrow  morning.    The  Secreta- 
ry went  away  fully  fatiified  with  Legates  civil  behavi- 
our.    The  fame  minute,  as  if  he  was   infpired  by  the 
holy  fpirir,  without  rcfieding  upon   any  confequence, 
he  called  his  ov^  Secretary,  he  bid  him  draw   a  copy 
of  the  excommunication,  putting  out  the  name  of  Z<r- 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  225 

g^I,  and  infef  ting  in  its  place,  ibe  holy  Inquljilors.     The 
next  morning  he  gave  orders  for  four  regJTients  to  be 
readv,  and  ^^nt    them  along  with  his  Secretary  to  the 
Inquifuion.w.'th  command  to  readtj:ic  excommunication 
to  ihe  Inquifitors  themfelves,  anef  if  they   made  the 
lead  n  )ife,  to  turn    them  out,    open   all    the    prifons, 
and  quarter  two  regiments  there.     He  was  not   afraid 
of  the  people,    for  the  Duke  took  away  all  the  arn^s 
from  every  individual  perfon.  And,  on  pain  of  death, 
commanded  that  noboby  fliould  keep  but  a  fhort  fword  5 
and  befides,  four  regiments  were  under  arms,  to   pre-»- 
vent  all   fort  of  tumults  and  diflurbance  :  So  his  Sa- 
cretary  went  and  performed  the  Governor's  orders. — * 
The    Inquifitors     were    never    more  furpriled  thaa 
to  fee  ths'mfelves  excommunicated  by  a  man  that  had 
no  authority  for  it,  and  refenting  it,  they  began  to  cry 
out,  War  ag^^  ihe  Heretic  de  Legal ;  this  is  a  public 
infult  againil  our  Catholic  faith.     To  which  the  Secre- 
tary anfwered.  Holy    Inquifitors,^  the  King  wants  this 
houfe  to  quarter  his  troops  in,  fo  walk  out  immediate- 
ly :   And  as  they  coatinued   in  their  exclamations,  he 
took  the  lnquifiiors,withafi:rongguard,  &  carried  tluna 
to  a  private  houfe  deftined   for  them  -,  but  when  they 
faw  the  laws  of  military  difcipline,  they  begged  leave 
to  take  their  goods  along  with  them,  which  was  imnie- 
diatc'ly  granted  •,  and   the  next  day  they  ^tx.  out  for 
Madrid,,  to  complain  to  she  King  ;  who  gave  them  this 
(light  anfwer,  1  am  very  forry  for  it,  but  I  cannot  help 
it ;  my  crown  is  in  danger,  and  my  grandfather  de- 
fends it,  and  this  is  done  by  his  troops  ;  if  it  had  been 
done  by  my  troops,  I  fhould  apply  a  fpecdy  remedy  : 
But  you  muft  have  patience   till    things  take   another 
turn.  So  the  Inquifitors  were  obliged  to  have  patience 
for  eight  months. 

The  Secretary  of  Monfieur  de  Legale  according  to 
his  orders,  opened  the  doors  of  all  the  prifons,  &  then 
the  wickednclTcfS  of  the  Inquifitors  were  detected,  for 
four   hundred   prifoners   got  liberty   that   day,    and 

C  e  amc;ng 


J2  J 


A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  T 


among  them  fixty  yonng  v/omcn  were  found  very  well 
dreft,  who  were, in  all  hnman  appearance,  the  number 
of  the  three  Inquifitors  Seroglio^  as  feme  of  them  did 
own  afterwards.  Elit  this  difcovcry,  fo  dangerous  to 
the  holy  tribunal,  was  in  fome  meafure  prevented  by 
the  Archbilliop,  who  went  to  defire  JNJpnfieur  de  Legal 
to  fend,  thofe  women  to  his  palace,  and  that  his  Grace 
would  take  care  of  them  ;  and  that  in  the  mean  time, 
he  ordered  an  ecclefiaftical  cenfure  to  be  publiihed 
againft  thofe  that  fnould  defame,by  groundlefs  reports, 
the  holy  cilice  of  the  Inquifuion.  The  Governor  an- 
^fwered  to  his  Grace,  he  would  give  him  all  the  aflifi:- 
^.nz^  for  it  he  could  ;  but  as  to  the  young  women  \t 
was  not  in  his  power,, the  oiiicers  having  hurried  them 
away ;  and  indeed  it  was  not  ^  for  as  it  is  not  to  be 
fuppofcd  that  the  Inquifitors,  having  the  abfolucc  power 
to  confine  in  their  Seraglio  whomfoever  they  had  a  fancy 
for,  would  choofe  ordinary  girls,  but  the  beft  and  hand- 
fomefb  of  the  city  :  So  the  French  officers  were  all  fo 
glad  of  gettieg  fuch  fine  miilrelfcs,  that  they  immediatdy 
took  them  away,  knowing  very  well  they  would  follow 
them  to  the  end  of  the  world,  tor  fear  of  being  confi- 
ned again.  In  my  travels  in  France  afterwards,  I  met 
with  one  of  thofe  women  at  Rotchfort^  in  the  fame  inn 
I  went  to  lodge  in  ^hat  night,  who  had  been  brought 
there  by  the  fon  of  the  mafler  of  the  inn,  formerly 
Lieutenant  in  the  French  fcrvice  in  Spa'm^  who  had  mar- 
ried her  for  her  extraordinary  beauty  and  good  parts. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Counfellor  Balabriga^  and  I 
knew  her  before  flie  was  taken  up  by  the  Inquifitors 
orders  ;  but  we  thought  ihe  was  fiolen  by  fome  officer  % 
for  this  was  given  out  by  her  Father,  who  died  of 
^ricf  and  vexation,  without  the  comiort  of  opening 
his  trouble,  nay,  even  to  his  Conftfibr  ,  fo  great  is  the 
fear  of  the  Inquifitors  there. 

I  was  very  glad  to  meet  one  of  my  country-women 
in  my  travels,  and  as  fhe  did  not  remember  me,   and 
efpecially  in  my  then  difguifc^  I  was   then  taken  for  no- 
thing 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  ■  iiy 

diino-  but  an  officer.  I  refolved  to  (lay  there  thq  next 
day,  to  have  the  fatisfadion  of  converfing  with  her, 
and  have  a  phiin  account  of  what  we  could  not  know 
in  Zaragofdy  for  fear  of  incurring  the  ecclefiaftical  cen- 
iiire,  publifhed  by  the  Archbifliop.  Now  my  conver- 
fation  with  her  being  a  prepos^  and  neceirary  to  difco- 
ver  the  roguery  of  the  Inquifitors,  it  feems  proper  to 
divert  the  reader  with  it. 

Mr.  Faulcaut^   my  country-woman's    hiiiband,  was 
then  at  Paris^  upon  fome  pretenfions,  and  thou*;h  her 
father  and   mother-in-law    were   continually  at  home, 
they  did  not  miilruft  me,  I  being  a   countryman    of 
their  daughter-in-law,    who  freely   came  to   my  rccm 
at  any  time,  and  as   I  was  defjring   her  not  to  expofe 
herfelf  toany  uneafinefs  on  my  account  ;  (he  anfwer- 
ed  me,  Captain,  we  are  now  in  France^  not  in  Zaragofa^ 
and  we  enjoy  here  all  manner  of  freedom  without   go- 
ing beyond  the  limits  cf  fobriety  •,  fo  you  may  be  eafy 
in  that  point,  for  my  father  and  mother-in-law   have 
ordered  me  to  be  obliging  to  you,  nay,  and  to  beg  the 
favour  of  you  to  take  your  repofe  here  thi^   week,   if 
your  bufmefs  permit  it,  and   to   be  pleafed  to  accept 
this  their  fmall  entertainment  on  freecoft,   as  a  token 
of  their  eileem  to  me,  and  my  country-gentleman.     If 
it  had  not  been  for  my  continual  fear  of  being  difco- 
vered,  I  would  have   accepted   the  propofition  ^   lo  I 
thanked  her,  and  begged  her  to  return  my   hearty  ac- 
knowledgment to  the  gentleman  and  lady  of  the  houfe, 
and  that  I  was  very  forry,  that'  my  preffingburinefs,  at 
Paris^  would  prevent  and  hinder  me  to  enjoy  fo  agree- 
able company  :   But  if  my  bufinefs  was  foon  dcfpatch- 
ed  at  Paris^  then,  at  my  return,  I  would  make  a  hak 
there,  may-be  for  a  fortnight.    Mrs.  Faulcaut  was  ve- 
ry much  concerned  at  my  hafte  to  go  a-jvay  :  But  ^"d^ 
did  make  me  promife  to  come  back  again    that  t,^ay  : 
So  amidft  thefe  compliments,  from  one  to  another,  fup- 
percamc  in,  and  we  v/ent  to  it,  the  old  mian  and  wo- 
^an,  their  daughter  and  I  j  none  but  Mrs.  Faulcaut 

~  "  could 


22S  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R^K  E  r 

could  fpeak  SpaniJIo,  fo  Ihe  was  my  interpreter,  for  I 
could  not  fpeak  French,  After  fupper,  the  landlord 
and  landlady  \di  us  alone,  and  I  began  to  beg  of  her 
the  favor  to  tell  me  the  accident  of  her  prifon,  of  her 
fufferings  in  the  Inquifition,  and  of  every  thing  relating 
to  the  holy  office,  and  fear  not  (faid  I)  for  we  are  ia 
France^  and  not  in  Zaragefa  ;  here  is  no  Inquifition, 
fo  you  may  fafcly  open  your  heart  to  a  countryman  of 
yours.  I  will,  with  all  m.y  heart,  faid  fhe,  and  to  fatis- 
fy  your  curiofity,  I  ihall  begin  with  the  occafion  of  my 
imprilbnment,  which  was  as  follows : 

I  went  one  day  with  my  mother  to  vifit  the  Count- 
•efs  q{  Attar afs^  and  I  met  there  Don  Francifco  'Torre- 
jofiy  her  Conteffor,  and  fecond   Inquifitor  gf  the  holy 
office  :  After  we  had  drunk   chocolate,  he  afked  me 
my  age,  and  my  ContefTor's  name,   and  fo  many  intri- 
cate queflions  about  religion,  that  I  could  noi  anfwer 
him :  His  Icrious  countenance  did  frighten  me,  and 
as  he  perceived   my   iear,  he  defired  the  Countefs  to 
tell  me,  that  he  was  not  fo  fevere  as  I^took  him  to  be; 
after  which  he  carefTcd  me  in  the  moft  obliging  man- 
ner in  the  world  ;  he  gave  me  his  hand,  which  1  kifTcd 
with  great  refpt(5t  and   mcdefly,  and  when  he  went  a- 
way,  he  told  me,  my  dear  child,  1  fhall  remember  you 
till  the  next   time.     I  did  not   mind  the  Icnfe  of  the 
words  ;  for  I  was  unexperienced  in  matters  of  gallant- 
ry, bcmg  only  fifteen  years  old  at  that  time.    Indeed 
he  did   remember  me,  for,  the  very  night   following, 
Avhen  Vv^e  vvire  in  bed,  hearing  a  hard  knocking  at  the 
d(  or,  the  maid    that  lay  in  the  fame  room  where  my 
bed  was,  went  to  the  window,  and  allying  who  is  there  .^ 
I  heard  fay,  Tiie  holy    Inquifuion.     1  could  not  for- 
bear crying  out  :  Father,  father,  I  am  ruined  for  ever. 
My  dear  lather  got  up,  and  inquiring  what  the  matter 
was,  1  anfvvered  him,  with  tears,  the   Inquifuion  :    and 
hr,  for  iear  that  the   maid  fliould  not  open  the  door 
as  qu'fk  as  fuch   a  caie  requiied,  went  himfelf,  as  ano- 
tl;ci-  Abraham^  to  open  the  deer,  and  to  cfier  his  dear 

daughter 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  229 

daughter  to  the  fire  of  the  Inquifitors,  and  ^s  I  did 
not  ceafe  to  cry  out,  as  if  I  was  a  mad  girl,  my  dear  fa- 
ther, all  in  tears,  did  put  in  my  mouth  a  bit  of  a  bri- 
dle, to  Ihew  his  obedience  to  the  holy  office,  and  his 
zeal  for  the  Catholic  faith,  for  he  thought  I  had  com- 
muted fome  crime  againil  religion  ;  fo  the  officers 
giving  me  but  time  to  put  on  my  petticoat  ajid  a  man- 
tle, took  me  down  into  the  coach,  and  without  giving 
me  the  fatisfadlion  of  embracing  my  dear  father  and 
mother,  they  carried  me  into  the  Inquifition  :  Ididex- 
ped:  to  die  that  very  night ;  but  when  rhey  carried  me- 
into  a  noble  room,  well  furniflied,  and  an  excellent  bed 
in  it,  I  was  quite  furprifed.  The  officers  left  me  there, 
and  immediately  a  maid  came  in  with  a  falver  of  fweet 
meats  and  cinnamon-  water,  defiring  me  to  take  fome 
refreihment  before  I  went  to  bed  :  I  told  her  I  could 
not ;  but  that  I  lliould  be  obliged  to  her,  if  fhe  could 
tell  me  whether  I  was  to  die  that  night  or  not  ?  Die 
(faid  fhe)  you  do  not  come  here  to  die,  but  to  live  like 
a  princefs,  and  you  ihd\\  want  nothing  in  the  world  but 
the  liberty  of  going  out ;  and  now  pray  mind  nothing, 
but  to  go  to  bed,  and  fleep  eafy,  for  to-morrow  you 
fhall  lee  wonders  in  this  houfe,  and  as  I  am  chofen  to 
be  your  waiting-maid,  I  hope  you  will  be  very  kind  to 
me.  I  was  going  to  alk  her  fome  queftions,  but  llie 
told  me,  madam,  I  have  not  leave  to  tell  you  any 
thing  elfe  till  to-mori-ow,  only  that  no  body  fhali  come 
to  difturb  you  j  and  now  I  am  going  about  fome  buli- 
nefs,  and  1  will  come  back  preft-ntly,  for  my  bed  is  ia 
the  clofet  near  your  bed  :  So  fhie  left  me  there  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour.  The  great  amazement  1  was  in 
took  away  all  my  fenfes,  or  tlie  free  exercife  of  them, 
for  I  had  not  liberty  to  think  of  my  parents,  nor  of 
grief,  nor  of  the  danger  that  was  fo  near  me  :  So  in  this 
fufpcnlion  of  thought,  the  waiting- maid  came  and  lock- 
ed the  chamber  door  after  her,  and  told  me,  Madam, 
let  us  go  t-j  bed,  and  only  tell  me  at  what  tinne  in  the 
morning  VQU  will  have  thu   chocoiits   ready?  iaflc- 


230  'A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

ed  fer  name,  and  (he  told  me  it  was  Mary.     Mary^  for 
God's  fake  (faid  I)  tell  me  whether  I  come  to  die  or 
not  ?  I  have  told  you,  madam,  that  you  come,  flie  faid, 
to  live  as  one  of  the  happied  creatures  in  the  woild. — 
And  as  I  obferved  her  refervednefs,  I  did  not  afk  her 
any  more  queflions  :  So  recommending  mvfelf  to  God 
Almighty,  and  to  cur  lady  oi Pilar ^  and  preparing  my- 
felf  todie,  I  went  tombed,  but  could  not  fleep  one  mi- 
nute.    I  v^'as  up  with  the  day,   but  Mary  flept  till  fix 
of  the  clock  :  Then  Ihe  got  up,  and  wondering  to  \^^ 
ine  up,  lliefaid  to  me,   pray  madam,  will   you  drink 
chocolate  now  P  Do  what  you  pleafe  (faid  I)  then  fhe 
left  me  half  an  hour  alone,  and  flie  came  back  with  a 
/jlver  plate  with  two  cups  of  chocolate  and  Ibme  bif- 
cuits  on  it.     I  drank  one  cup,  and  defired  her  to  drink 
the  other,  which  flic  did.     Weil,  Mary,  faid  I,  can  you 
give  me  any  account  of  the  reafon  of  my  being  here  ? 
!Not  yet,  madam,  faid  flie,  but  only  have  patience  for 
a  little  while.     With  this  anlwer   ihe  left  me,   and  an 
hour  after  came  again   with  two  baflcets,  with  a  fine 
holland  fliift,  a  holland  under  petticoat,  with   fine  lace 
round  about  it :  Two  filk  petticoats  and  a  little  bfanijJo 
waiflcoat,  with  a  gold  fringe  all  over  it :  With  combs 
and  ribbons,  and  every  thing  fuitable  to  a  lady  of  high- 
er quality  than  I  :  But  my  greateft  furprife  was   to  fee 
a  gold  fnuff-box^^vith  the   pi6ture  of  Don   Francifco 
Tcrrejon  in  it.     Then  I  foon  underftood  the    meaning 
of  my  confinement.     So  I  confidered  with  myfelf,  that 
to  refufe  the  prefent  would  be  the  occafion  of  my  im- 
mediate death,  and  to  accept  of  it  was  to  give  him,  even 
on  the  ni  (I  day,  too  great  encouragement  againil  my 
honor.     But  I  tound,  as  I  thought  then,  a  medium  in 
the  cafe  ;  fo  I  Taid,  Alary^  pray  give  my  fervice  to  Don 
Francifco  Torrejon^  and   tcil  him,  that  as  I  could  not 
bring  my  clothes  along  with  me  lall  night,  honefly  per- 
mits me  to  accept  of  thefe  clothes  which    are  neceffary 
to  keep  me  decent-,  but  fince  I  take  no  fnuff,  I  beg 
his  Lordihip  to  excufe  me^sf  I  do  not  accept  this  box. 

Mdry 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r. 


23t 


Mary  went  to  him  with  this  anfwer,  and  came  a^ain 
with  a  pidture  nicely  let  in  gold,  with  four  diamonds  at 
the  four  corners  of  it,  and  told  me,  that  his  Lordfnip 
was  miftaken,  and  that  he  defircd  me  to  accept  that 
pidure,  which  would  be  a  great  favour  to  him  •,  and 
while  I  was  thinking  with  myieif  what  to  do,  Mary  faid 
to  me,  pray,  madam,  take  my  poor  advice,  accept  the 
pidure,  and  every  thing  that  he  fends  to  you-,  tor  con- 
fider,  that  if  you  do  hot  confentand  comply  with  every 
thing  he  has  a  mind  for,  you  will  foon  be  put  to  death, 
and  no  body  will  defend  you  •,  but  if  you  are  obliging 
and  kind  to  him,  he  is  a  very  complaifant  and  agreea- 
ble gentleman,  and  will  be  a  charming  lover,  and  you 
will  be  here  like  a  Queen,  and  he  will  give  you  another 
apartment,  with  a  fine  garden,  and  many  young  ladies 
fhali  come  to  vifit  you  :  So  I  advife  you  to  fend  a  civil 
anfwer  to  him,  and  defirc  a  vific  from  him  ;  or  elfe  you 
will  foon  begin  to  repent  yourfclf.  O  dear  God,  faid  I, 
muft  I  abandon  my  honor  without  any  remedy  !  If  I 
oppofe  hisdefire,  he  by  force  will  obtain  it ;  fo,  full  of 
confufilon,  I  bid  Mary  to  give  him  what  anfwer  fhe 
thought  lit :  S\\q  was  very  glad  of  my  humble  fubmifll- 
on,  and  went  to  give  Don  Frcmcifco  my  anfwer.  She 
came  back  a  few  minutes  after,  all  overjoyed,  to  tell  me 
that  his  Lordfhip  would  honor  me  with  his  company  at 
fupper,  and  that  he  could  not  come  fooner  on  the  ac- 
count of  fomc  bufinefs  that  called  him  abroad;  but 
in  the  mean  time  defired  me  to  mind  nothing,  but  how 
to  divert  myfelf,  and  to  give  to  Mary  my  meafure  for  a 
fuit  of  new  clothes,  and  order  her  to  bring  me  every 
thing  I  could  wifh  for  ;  Mary  added  to  this,  madam,  I 
may  call  you  now  my  miflrefs,  and  mud  tell  you,  that 
I  have  been  in  the  holy  oHice  thefe  fourteen  years,  and 
I  know  the  cuftoms  of  it  very  well,  but  becaufe  filence 
is  impofed  upon  me  under  pain  of  death,  I  cannot  I'ell 
you  any  thing  but  what  concerns  your  perfon  •,  \o^  in  the 
firft  place,  do  not  oppofe  the  holy  Father's  will  and 
pleafure  :  Secondly y]i\QM  fee  fome  young  ladies  here, 

never 


^^1  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  T 

never  afk  them  the  occafion  of  their  being  here,  nor 
any  thing  of  their  bufin^fs,  neither  will  they  afk  you 
any  thing  of  this  nature,  and  take  care  not  to  tell 
them  any  thing  ot  your  being  here;  you  may  come 
anddivertyourfelf  with  them  at  fuch  hours  as  are  ap- 
pointed •,  you  fhall  have  mufic,  and  all  forts  of  recreati- 
ons ;  three  days  hence  you  fhall  dine  v/ith  them,  they 
are  all  ladies  of  quality,  young  and  merry,  and  this  is 
thebeft  of  lives,  you  will  not  long  for  going  abroad, 
you  will  be  fo  well  divertrd  at  home ;  and  when  your  time 
is  expired,  then  the  holy  Fathers  will  fend  you  out  of  this 
country,  and  marry  ycu  tofomcnobleman.  Never  men- 
tion the  name  of  Don  Francijco^  nor  your  name  to  any: 
If  you  fee  here  feme  young  ladies  of  your  acquaint- 
ance in  the  city,  they  never  will  take  notice  of  your 
formerly  knowing  each  other,  though  they  will  talk 
with  you  of  indifferent  matters,  fo  take  care  not  to  fpeak 
any  thing  of  your  family.  All  thefe  things  together 
made  me  aftonifhed,  or  rather  flupified,  and  the  whole 
feemed  to  me  a  piece  of  enchantment  ;  fo  that  I  could 
not  imagine  what  to  think  of  it.  With  this  lefTon  fbe 
left  me,  and  told  me  fhe  was  going  to  order  my  dinner, 
and  every  time  Ibe  went  out,  fhe  locked  the  door  after 
her.  There  were  but  two  high  windows  in  my  cham- 
ber, and  I  could  fee  nothing  through  them,  but  exa- 
mining the  room  all  over,  I  found  a  clofet  with  all  forts 
of  hiftorical  and  profane  books,  and  every  thing  necef- 
iary  for  writing.  So  I  fpent  my  time  till  the  dinner 
came  in,  reading  fome  diverting  amorous  flories, 
which  was  a  great  fatisfa6lion  to  me.  When  Mary 
c^me  with  the  things  for  the  table,  I  told  her  that  I 
was  inclined  to  fleep,  and  that  I  would  rather  fleepthaa 
go  to  dinner,  fo  fhe  afked  me  whether  fhe  fhould  awak- 
en me  or  not,  and  at  what  time  ?  Two  hours  hence 
(faid  I)  fo  I  lay  down  and  fell  afleep,  whkh  was  a  great 
refrefhment  to  me.  At  the  time  fixed  fhe  wakened 
me,  and  I  went  to  dmner,  at  which  was  every  thing 
that  couid  fatisty  the  moft  nice  appetite.     After  dinner 

flie 


it)  p  0  p  E  R  r.  ^33 

fiie  left  m^  alone,  and  told  me,  if  I  did   want  any 
thine-  I  mio-iic  ring  the  bell    and  call :     So  I  went  to 
the  cloiec  ^^ain,   and  ipent  three  hours  m  reading.     I 
think  really  I  was  under  feme  enchantment,  for  i  was 
in  a  perfed  fufpenfion  of  thought,  fo  as  to  remember 
neither  father  or  mother,  for  this  run  leali  in  my  mind, 
and  what  was  at  that  time   mod  in  it,  I  do  not  know. 
Mary  came  and  told  me,  that  Don  Francijco  was  come 
liome,  and  that  ihe  thought  fee  would  come  to  fee  me 
very  foon,  and  be^aed  ot  me  to  prepare  myfelf  to  re- 
ceive  him  with  alfmanner  of  kmdnefs.     At  feven  in 
the  evening  D  )n  Francifco  came,  in  his  night-gown  and 
ni2ht-cap,notwiththearavityof  anlnquifitor,  but  with 
the  o-aiety  cf  an  f  fncer.He  faluted  me  with  great  rclpea&: 
civiTity,  &  told  ni:  he  had  defigned  to  keep  me  company 
atfupper,  but  could  not  that  night,  having  fome  bufineis 
of  confequence  to  finifh  in  his  clofct  •,  and  that  his  coming 
to  fee  me  was  only  out  of  the  reiped  he  had  for  my  fa- 
mily, and  to  tell  me  at  the  fame  time,  that  fome  of  my 
lovers  had  procured  my  ruin  forever,  acdufmg  me  in 
matters  of  religion  -,  that  the  informations  were  taken, 
and  the  fentence  pronounced  againil  me,  to  be  burnt  a- 
live,  in  a  dry  Dan,  with   a  gradual  fire  •,  but    that  he, 
out  of  pity  and  love   to  my   family,  had  ftopped  the 
execution  of  it.     Each  of  thefe  words  was  a  martal 
ftroke  on  my  heart,  and  knowing  not  what  I  was  doing, 
I  threw  myfelf  at  his  feet,  and  faid.  Seignior,  have  you 
Hopped  the  execution  forever  ?  That  only  belongs  to 
you  to  flop  it,  or  not,  (faid  he)  and  with  this  he  wiOi- 
ed  m.e  a  good  night.     As  foon  as  he  went  away,   I  tell 
a  crying,''but  M^rycamc  and  afked  me  what  did  oblige   . 
me  to  cry  fo  bitterly  ?  Ah  !  Good  Mary,  laid  I,  pray 
tell  me  what  is  the  meaning  of  the  dry  pan,   and  gra- 
dual fire  ?  For  lam   in  expedlation   of  nothing    buc 
death,  and  that  by  it.  O,  pray  never  fear,  you  will  lee 
another  day  the  pan  and  gradual  fire  -,  but  th^y  are 
m'adefor  thofe  that  oppofe  the  holy  Father's  will,  noc 
for  you,  that  are  fo  ready  to  obey  them.     But,  pray, 

D  d  ^^^^ 


234  A    M  A  S  t  E  R-K  E  Y 

was  Don  Francifco  very  civil  and  obliging  ?  I  do  not 
know  (faid  I)  for  his  difcourfc  has  put  me  out  of  my 
wits ;  this  I  know,  that  he  fainted  me  with  refpedl  and 
civiiity,but  he  has  left  me  abruptly  ;  well  (faid  Mary) 
you  do  not  know  him, he  is  the  rhoft  obliging  man  in  the 
world,  if  people  are  civil  with  him,  and  if  not,  he  is  as 
unmerciful  as  Nero^  and  fo  for  your  ©wn  prefervation, 
take  care  to  oblige  him  in  all  rcfpedls  ;  now,  pray  go 
to  fupper,  and  be  eafy.  I  was  fo  much  troubled  in 
mind  with  the  thoughts  of  the  dry  pan  and  gradual 
fire,  that  I  could  neither  eat  nor  fleep  that  night.  Ear- 
ly in  the  morning  Mary  got  up,  and  told  me,  that  no 
body  v/as  yet  up  in  the  houfe,  and  that  Ihe  v/ould  fhew 
me  the  dry  pan  and  gradual  fire,  on  condition,  that  I 
fhould  keep  it  fecret  for  her  fake,  and  my  own  too  ^ 
which  I  having  promifed  her,  fhe  took  me  along  with 
her,  and  fhe  wed  me  a  dark  room  v/ith  a  thick  iron  door, 
Sr  within  it  an  oven,&  a  large  brafspan  upon  it,  with  a 
coverofthefame,  &aiock  to  it,  the  oven  was  burning  at 
that  time,  and  I  afked  Mary  for  what  ufe  that  pan  was 
there  ?  And  Ihe,  without  giving  me  any  anfwtr,  took 
me  by  the  han  d,out  of  that  place,&  carried  me  into  a  large 
room,  where  flie  fhe  wed  me  a  thick  wheel,  covered  on  both 
fides  with  thick  boards,  and  opening  a  littl-e  window, 
in  the  centre  of  it,  defired  me  to  look  with  a  candle  on 
the  infide  of  it,  and  I  faw  all  the  circumference  of  the 
wheel  fet  with  fharp  rafors.  After  that,  fhe  fhewed  mc 
a  pit,  full  of  ferpents  and  toads.  Then  fhe  faid  to  me, 
now,  my  good  miilrefs,  Fll  tell  you  the  ufe  ot  thefe 
three  things.  The  dry  pan  and  gradual  fire  are  for 
Hereticks,  and  thofe  that  oppofe  the  holy  Father's 
^  will  and  pleafure,  for  they  are  put  all  naked  and  alive 
into  the  pan,  and  the  cover  of  it  being  locked  up,  the 
executioner  begins  to  put  in  the  oven  a  fmall  fi-re,  and 
bv  degrees  he  auo;menteth  it  till  the  bodv  is  burnt  into 
sflies.  The  fecond  is  defigned  for  thofe  that  fpeak 
againft  the  Pope,  and  the  holy  Fathers  ^  and  they  are 
put  within  the  wheel,    and  the   door   being  locked, 

the 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  235 

inc  executioner  turns  the  wheel  till  the  perfon  is  dead. 
And  the  third  is  for  thole  that  contemn  the  images, 
and  refufe  to  give  the  due  refped  and  voneration  to 
ecclefiailical  perfons,for  they  are  chrown  into  the  pit,  & 
there  thev  become  the  food  of  ferpents  &  toads.  Then 
Mary  laid  to  me,  that  another  day  (he  would  fhew  me 
torments  for  public  Tinners,  &  tranfgreffors  of  the  five 
commandments  of  our  holy  Mother  the  Church  ;  fo  I, 
in  a  deep  amazement,  defired  Mary  to  fhew  me  no 
more  places,  for  the  very  thoughts  of  thofe  three5which 
I  had  krn,  were  enough  to  terrify  me  to  tihc  heart. — 
So  v>^e  went  to  my  room,  and  fhe  charged  me  again  to 
be  very  obedient  to  all  the  commands  Don  Francifc9 
fhould  give  me,  or  to  be  alTured,  if  I  did  not,  that  I 
was  to  undergo  the  torment  of  the  dry  pan.  indeed 
I  conceived  fuch  an  horror  for  the  gradual  fire,  that  I 
was  not  miflrefs  of  my  fenfes,  nay,  nor  ot  my  thoughts : 
So  I  told  Mary  that  I  would  follow  her  advice,  and 
grant  Don  Francifco  every  th.ng  he  would  defire  of 
nie.  Ir  you  are  in  that  difpolition  (faid  fne)  leave  off 
all  fears  and  apprehenfions,  and  expedt  nothing  hue 
pleafure  and  fatisfadion,  and  all  manner  of  recreation, 
and  you  Tnall  begin  to  experience  forn^  of  thefe  things 
this  very  day.  Now  let  m.e  drefs  you,  for  you  mufl 
go  to  wifh  a  good- morrow  to  Don  Francifco,  and 
to  breakfail  with  him.  I  thought  really  this  was 
a  great  honor  to  me,  and  fome  comfort  to  my  troubled 
mind  ;  fo  I  made  all  the  hafte  I  could,  and  Mary  con- 
veyed me  through  a  gallery  into  Don  Francifco'^  apart- 
ment. He  was  ffill  in  bed,  and  dcfired  vs\t  to  fit  down 
by  him,  and  ordered  Mary  to  bring  the  chocolate  two 
hours  after,  and  with  this  fhe  left  me  alone  with  Don 
Francifco^  who  immediately,  ardently  declaring  his 
inclinations,  I  had  not  the  liberty  to  make  any  excufe, 
and  lo  by  extinguifning  the  fire  of  his  pafiion,  1  was 
free  from  the  gradual  fire  and  dry  pan,  which 
was  all  that  then  troubled  my  mind.  When  Ma- 
ry came  with  ;he  chocolate,  I  was  very  much 
■■;.  -----  -  ^  afliimed 


2^6       .       ^    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

afhamed  to  be  feen  with  him  in  bed,  butfhe  coming 
to  the  bed- fide  where  I  was,  and  kneeling  down,  paid 
me  homage  as  if  I  was  a  queen ;  and  ferved  me  firfb 
with  a  cup  of  chocolate,  flill  on  her  knees,  and  bade 
me  to  give  another  cup  to  Don  Francifco  myfelf,  which 
he  received  mighty  gracioufly,  and  having  drunk  up 
the  chocolate,  Ihe  went  out ,  we  difcourftd  for  a  while 
of  various  things,  but  I  never  fpoke,  a  word  but  when 
he  dcfired  me  to  anfwer  him  :  So  at  ten  ot  the  clock, 
Mary  came  again,  and  drefllng  me,  £he  defired  me  to 
go  along  with  her,  and  leaving  Don  Frandjfo  in  bed, 
fhe  carried  memto  another  chamber  very  delightful, 
and  better  furniflied  than  the  firft  ;  for  the  windov/s  of 
it  were  lower,  and  I  had  the  pleafure  of  feeing  the  river 
and  gardens  on  the  other  {\d.^  out  of  it.  Then  Mary 
told  me,  madam,  the  young  ladies  of  this  houfe  will 
come  before  dinner  to  welcome  you,  and  make  them- 
felves  happy  in  the  honor  of  your  company,  and  will 
take  you  to  dine  with  them.  Pray  remember  the  ad- 
vices I  have  given  you  already,  and  do  not  make  your- 
felf  unhappy  by  ufking  ufelefs  queilions.  She  had  not. 
finiflied  thefe  v^ords,  when  I  faw  entering  my  apartment 
(vv'hich  confided  of  a  large  anti-chamber  and  a  bed- 
chamber with  two  large  clofets)  a  troop  of  young  beau- 
tiful ladieSjHnely  dreft,  who  all,  one  after  another,  came 
to  embrace  me,  and  to  wifli  me  joy.  My  fenfes  were 
in  a  perfecl  fufpenfion,  and  I  could  not  Ipeak  a  word, 
j'ior  anfwer  their  kind  compliments :  But  one  of  them 
feeing  me  fo  fik-'n^  faid  to  me,  madam,  the  folitude  of 
this  place  will^  afFc6t:  you  in  the  beginning,  but  whea 
you  begin  to  be  in  our  company,  and  feel  the  pleafures 
of  our  amufemencs  and  recreations,  you  will  quit  your 
penfive  thoughts  :  Now  we  beg  of  you  the  honor  to 
come  and  dine  with  us  to  day,  and  henceforth  three 
days  in  a  week.  1  thanked  them,  and  we  went  to  din- 
ner. That  day  we  had  all  forts  of  exquifite  meats, 
and  were  ferved  with  delicate  fruits  and  fweet- meats. 
^The  room  was  very  long,  widi  two  tables  on  each  fide, 

another 


i&    P  O  P  E  R  r.  23y 

another  at  the  front  of  it,  and  I  reckoned  in  it  that  day 
52  young  ladies,  the  oldeii  of  them  not  exceeding  24 
years  of  age  :  Six  maids  did  ferve  the  xfhole  number  oif 
us,  but  my  Mary  waited  on  me  alone  at  dinner : 
After  dinner  we  went  up  flairs  into  a  long  gal- 
lery, all  round  about  with  lattice-windows ;  where, 
fome  of  us  playing  on  inftruments  of  mufic,  ethers 
playing  at  cards,  and  others  walking  about,  we  fpent 
three  hours  together.  At  lad,  Mary  came  up,  ringing 
a  fmall  bell,  which  was  the  fignal  to  retire  into  our 
rooms,  as  they  told  me ;  but  Mary  faid  to  the  whole 
company,  J-.adies,  to  day  is  a  day  of  recreation,  fo 
you  may  go  into  what  room  you  pleafe,  till  eight  of  the 
clock,  and  then  you  are  to  go  into  your  own  chambers  : 
So  they  all  defircd  leave  to  go  v/ith  me  to  my  apart- 
ment, to  fpend  the  time  there,  and  I  was  very  glad, 
that  they  preferred  my  chamber  to  another  ;  foail  go- 
ing down  together,  we  found  in  my  anti-chamber  a 
table,  with  all  forts  of  fvveet- meats  upon  it,  iced  cinna- 
mon-water, and  almonds-milk,  and  the  like,  every  one 
did  eat  and  drink,  but  no  body  fpoke  a  word,  touching 
the  fumptuoufnefs  of  the  table,  nor  mentioned  any 
thing  concerning  the  Inquifition  of  the  holy  Fathers. 
So  we  fpent  our  time  in  merry,  indifferent  converfation, 
till  eight  of  the  clock.  Then  every  one  retired  to  their 
own  room,  and  Mary  told  me,  that  Don  Francifco  did 
wait  for  me,  fo  we  went  to  his  apartment,  and  fupper 
being  ready,  we  both  alone  fat  at  table,  attended  by 
my  maid  only,  Afcer  fupper,  Mary  went  away,  and 
we  to  bed,  and  next  morning,  fhe  ferved  us  with  cho- 
colate, which  wc  drank  in  bed,  and  then  flept  till  ten  of 
the  clock.  Then  we  got  up,,  and  my  waiting- maid 
carried  me  into  my  chamber,  where  I  found  ready,  two 
fuits  of  clothes,  of  a  rich  brocade,  and  every  thing  elfe, 
fuitable  to  a  lady  of  the  firft  rank.  I  put  on  one,  and 
when  I  was  quite  dreft,  the  young  ladies  came  to  wifh 
ir.e  a  good  morrow,  all  drcll  in  different  clothes,  and 
better  than  the  day  before,  and  wc  fpent  the  fecond  and 

third 


138  "AMASTER^KET 

third  day  in  the  fame  recreation  ;  Don  Francifco  con- 
tinuing alio  with  me  in  the  fame  manner.  But  the 
third  mornini^;,  after  drinkino;  chocolate  in  bed,  as  the 
cullom  was  for  Don  Francifco  and  me,  Mary  told  me, 
that  a  lady  was  waiting  for  me  in  the  other  room,  and 
defired  me  to  get  up,  with  an  haughty  look,  and  Don 
Francifco  fiying  nothing,  I  then  got  up,  and  left  him  in 
bed.  I  thought  that  it  was  to  give  me  fome 
new  comfort  and  diverfion  ;  but  I  was  very  much  mif- 
taken,  for  Mary  conveyed  me  into  a  young  lady's  room 
not  eight  feet  long,  which  was  a  perfedl  priibn,  and 
there,  before  the  lady,  toki  me.  Madam,  this  is  your 
room,  and  this  young  lady  your  bedf^tliow  and  com- 
rade, and  left  me  there  with  this  unkind  command. 
O  Heaven's  I  Thought  I,  what  is  this  that  has  hap- 
pened to  me  ?  I  fancied  myfelf  out  of  grief,  and  I  per-' 
ceived  now  the  beginning  of  my  vexation.  What  is 
this,  dear  lady  ?  (laid  I)  is  this  an  enchanted  palace,  or 
an  Hell  upon  earth  ?  I  have  loft  father  and  mother, 
and  what  is  worfe,  I  have  loft  my  honor,  and  my  foul 
forever.  My  new  companion,  feeing  me  like  a  mad 
woman,  took  me  by  the  hands,  and  faid  to  me,  dear 
fifter  (for  this  is  the  name  I  will  give  you  henceforth) 
leave  off  your  crying,  leave  off  your  grief  and  vexation  ; 
for  you  can  do  nothing  by  fuch  extravagant  complaints, 
but  heap  coals  of  fire  upon  your  head,  or  rather  under 
your  body.  Your  misfortunes  and  ours  are  exadlly  of 
a  piece  :  You  fuffer  nothing  that  we  have  not  fuffered 
before  you  ;  but  we  are  not  allowed  to  fhew  our 
grief,  for  fear  of  greater  evils  :  Pray  take  good  cou- 
rage, and  hope  in  God ;  for  he  will  find  fome  way  or 
other  to  deliver  us  out  of  this  hellilh  place  -,  but 
above  all  things,  take  care  not  to  ftiew  any  uneafinefs 
before  Mary^  who  is  the  only  inftrument  of  our  tor- 
ments, or  comfort,  and  have  patience  till  we  go  to  bed, 
and  then  without  any  fear,  I  will  tell  you  more  of  the 
matter.  "We  do  not  dme  with  the  other  ladies  to  day, 
and  may-be   we  fliall  have  an  opportunity  of  talking. 

before 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  2^9 

before  night,  which  I  hope  will  be  of  feme  comfort  to 
you.  I  was  in  a  molt  defpe rate  condition,  but  my  new 
lifter  Leonora  (this  was  her  name)  prevailed  fo  much 
upon  me,  that  I  overcame  my  vexation  before  Mary 
came  again,  to  bring  our  dinner,  which  was  very  differ- 
ent from  that  I  had  three  days  before.  After  dinner, 
another  maid  came  to  take  away  the  platter  and  knife, 
for  we  had  but  one  for  us  both,  fo  locked  up  the 
door. 

Now,  my  fifter,  faid  fhe,  we  need  not  fear  being  di- 
fturbed  all  this  night  :  So  I  may  fafely  inftrucl  you,  if 
you  will  promife  me,  upon  the  hopes  of  falvation,  not 
to  reveal  the  fecret,  while  you  are  in  this  place,  of  the 
things  I  fliall  tell  you.  I  threv;  myfcrlf  down  at  her 
feet,  and  promifed  fccrefy^  Then  (lie  begun  to  fay  : 
My  dear  fifter,  you  think  it  a  hard  cafe  that  has  hap- 
pened to  you,  I  afTurc  you  all  the  ladies  m  this  houfe 
have  already  gone  through  the  lame,  and  in  time  you 
fhall  know  all  their  ftories,  as  they  hope  to  know  yours, 
I  fuppole  that  Aiary  has  been  the  chief  inftrument  of 
your  fright,  as  fhe  has  been  of  ours,  and  I  warrant  fhe 
has  ihewn  to  you  fome  horrible  places,  though  not  all, 
and  that  at  the  only  thought  of  them,  you  were  fo 
much  troubled  in  your  mind,  that  you  have  chofen  the 
fame  way  we  did  to  get  fome  eafe  in  our  heart.  By 
what  has  happened  to  us,  we  know  that  Don  Francijco 
has  been  ygur  Nero-,  for  the  three  colours  of  our 
clothes  are  the  diftinguifhing  tokens  of  the  three  holy 
Fathers:  The  red  filk  belongs  to  Don  Frsnci/co,  th^ 
blue  to  GuerrerOy  and  the  green  to  Aliaga,  For  they 
ufe  to  give  the  thit^e  firft  daysthefe  colours  to  thofe  la- 
dies that  they  bring  for  their  ufe.  We  are  ftri(51:ly  com- 
nranded  to  make  all  demonftrations  of  joy,  and  to  be 
very  merry  three  days,  when  a  young  lady  comes  here, 
as  we  did  with  you,  and  you  miift  do  with  others  :  But 
after  it  we  live  like  prifoners,  without  feeing  any  liv- 
ing foul  but  the  fix  maids, and  Mary^  who  is  thehoufe- 
kecper.     We  dine  all  of  us,  in  the  hall,  three  days  a 

week. 


21H>  ^A    M  A  S  ^  E  R  'K  E  T 

week,  and  three  days  in  our  rooms.  When  any  of  the 
holy  Fathers  have  a  mind  for  one  of  his  flaves,  Mary 
comes  for  her  at  nine  of  the  clock,  and  conveyeth  her 
to  his  apartm::'nt :  But,  as  they  have  fo  many,  the  turn 
comes,  may- be,  once  in  a  month,  except  for  thofe  who 
have  the  honor  to  give  them  more  fatisfadion  than  or- 
dinary, thofe  are  fejit  for  often.  Some  nights  Mary 
leaves  the  door  of  our  rooms  open,  and  that  is  a  fign 
that  fome  of  the  Fathers  have  a  m^ind  to  come  that 
night,  but  he  comes  in  fo  filent  that  we  do  not  know 
whether  he  is  our  own  patron  or  not.  If  one  of  us 
happen  to  be  with  child,  fhe  is  removed  to  a  better 
chamber,  and  fhe  fees  no  perfon  but  the  maid  till  (he  is 
delivered.  The  child  is  fent  away,  and  we  do  not 
know  where  it  is  gone,  Mary  does  not  fuffer  quarrels 
between  us,  for  if  one  happens  to  be  troublefome 
£he  is  bitterly  chaftifed  for  it  :  So  we  are  always  under 
a  continual  fear.  I  have  been  in  this  houfe  thefe  {\^ 
years,  and  I  was  not  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  the 
officers  took  me  from  my  father's  houfe,  and  I  have 
been  brought  to  bed  but  once.  We  are  at  prefent  fif- 
ty-two young  ladies,  and  we  lofe  every  year  fix  or 
eight,  but  we  do  not  know  where  they  are  fent  •,  but 
at  the  fame  time  we  get  new  ones,  and  fometimes  I 
havefeen  here  feventy-three  ladies.  All  our  continu- 
al torment  is  to  think,  and  with  great  reafon,  that 
when  the  holy  Fathers  are  tired  of  one,  they  put  her 
to  death  ;  for  they  never  will  run  the  hazard  of  being 
difcovered  in  thefe  mifdemeanors  :  So,  though  we 
cannot  oppofe  their  commands,  and  therefore  we  com- 
mit fo  many  enormities,  yet  we  ftill  fervently  pray  God 
and  his  bie/Ted  Mother  to  forgive  us  them,  fince  it  is 
againft  our  wills  we  do  them,  and  to  preferve  us  from 
death  in  this  houfe.  So,  my  dear  fifter,  arm  yourfelf 
with  patience,  and  put  your  feruft  in  God,  who  will  be 
our  only  defender  and  deliverer. 

This  difcourfe  of  Leonora  did  eafe  me  in  fome  mea- 
furc%  and   I  found  every  thing  as   fhe  had  told  me  ri. 

And 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  241 

And  fo  we  lived  together  eighteen  months,  in  which 
time  we  loft  eleven   ladies,  and  we   got  nineteen  new 
ones.     I  knew  all  their  ft :)ries,  which  I  cannot  tell  yoU 
to-nicTht,  but  if  you  will  be  lb  kind  as  to  ftay  here  this 
week%ouwill  not  think  your   time    loft,   when   you 
come' to  know  them  all.     I  did  promife  her  to  ftay  thaC 
week,   with   a  great  deal  of  pleafure  and  fatisiaaion  5 
but  thoucrh  it  was  very  late,  &  the  people  of  thehoule 
were  retired,  I  begged  her  to  make  an  end  of  the  ftory 
concerning  herfelf,  which   fhe  did   in  the    following 
manner  :  After  the  eighteen  months,  one  night,  M?ry 
came  &  ordered  us  to  follow  her,  &  going  d  )wn  ftairs. 
(he  bad  us  go  into  a  coach,  &  this  we  thought  th-  laft 
day  of  our  lives.  We  went  out  of  the  houfe,  but  where, 
we  did  not  know,  and  were  put  in  another  houf?,  which 
was  worfe  than  the  Hrft,  where  we  were  confi  led  (eve- 
ral   months,   without  feeing    any  of  the    Inquifitors^ 
or  Mary,  or  any  of  our  companions  :   And  in  the  fame 
manner  we  were  removed  from  that  houfe  to  another, 
where  we  continued  till  we  were  miraculoufly  delivered 
by  the  French  ofHcers.     iVlr.  Faulcaut,  happily  for  me, 
did  open  the  door  of  my  room,   and  as  foon  as  he  faw 
me,    he    begun    to    fhew    me     much    civility,    and 
took  me  and\^5»^r^  along  with  him,  to  his   lodgings, 
and  after  he  heard  my   whole  ftory,  and  fearing  that 
things  would  turn  to  our  difadvantage,  he  ordered  the 
next  day,  to  fend  us  to  his  father.     We  were  dreft  ia 
men's  clothes,  to  go  the  more  fafely,  and  fo  we  came  to 
this  houfe,  where  I  was  kept  for  two  years,   as  the 
daughter  of  the  old  man,  till  Mr.  Faulcauf^  regiment 
bein'g  broke,  he  came  home,  and  two  months   after 
married  me.     Lf^«^r<;?  was  married  to  another  officer, 
and  thev  hve  in  Orleans,  which  being  in  your  way    to 
Paris,  l' do  not   queftion  but  you  will  pay  her  a  viiiu 
Now  my  huftiand  is  at  court,  foliciting  a  new  commif- 
fion,  and  he  will  be  very  glad  of  your  acquaintance,  if 
he  ha«?  not  left  Paris  before  you  go  to  it.    Thus  ended 
Gur  firft  entertainment  the  fiift  night, 

E  e  I 


242  ^AMASTER'KET 

I  flayed  there  afterwards  twelve  days,  in  which  flic 
told  me  the  ftaries  of  all  the  young  ladies,  which  Leo- 
nora did  repeat  to  me,  without  any  alteration,  as  to  the 
fubftantial  paints  of  them  :  But  ihefe  diverting  ac- 
counts, concainins;  feme  particular  circumftances, 
touching  the  horrible  procedure  of  that  tribunal,  but 
more  efpecially,  being  full  of  amorous  intrigues,  I  think 
lit  not  to  infert  them  here,  but  to  give  them  in  a  fepa- 
rate  book,  to  the  public,  if  dt fired  ;  for  as  I  have  ma- 
ny other  things  lo  fay,  touching  the  corruptions  of  the 
Romijh  Priefts,  th^le  accounts  may  be  infer ced  there, 
to  fhew  the  ill  pra£s:ices  and  corruptions  of  the  Tnquid- 
tors.  ^  I  proceed  to  fpeak  of  the  new  quarters  of  the 
French  troops,  in  the  Inquifition,  and  of  the  reftoration 
of  the  holy  Fathers  into  it,  and  afterwards  1  will  go  on 
with  the  inftances  of  the  public  trials. 

When  the  Maiquifs  de  Taurcey  was  chofen  Gover- 
nor of  the  fort  of  Jljaferia^  where  formerly  the  holy 
oflice  was  kept,  he  put  a  Urong  garrifon  into  it,  the  ho- 
ly Fathers  were  obliged  to  remove  and  take  away 
their  prifoners,  but  they  did  wall  all  the  doors  of  their 
fecrec  prifons,  where  they  ufed  to  keep  the  hellidi  engines, 
fo  we  could  not  then  know  any  thing  of  their  barbarity 
in  the  punilhing  of  innocents  ;  and  I  tliink,  that  as  they 
did  confider  themfelves  as  unfettled,  and  being  in 
hopes  to  recover  again  the  former  place,  they  did  not 
move  their  inhuman  inftruments  of  torment,  fo  there 
were  none  found  in  the  lall  houfe,  when  they  were 
turned  out  :  Nay,  among  fo  great  a  number  of  prifon- 
ers^ delivered  out  of  it,  we  could  converfe  with  none  of 
them  :  For  as  foon  as  they  got  out,  for  fear  of  a  new 
order  from  the  King,  or  Pope,  they  made  their  efcape 
out  of  the  country,  and  they  were  very  much  in  the 
right  of  it,  for  the  Inquifinon  is  a  place  to  be  very  much 
feared,  and  not  to  be  tried  a  fecond  time,  if  one  can 
iielp  it. 

At  laff,  after  eight  months  reprieve,  the  fame  Inqui- 
fitors  came  again  with  more  power   than   before,  for 

Do2a 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  243 

Don  Pedro  Guerrero,  firil  Inquifitor,  was  chofen  by  the 
Pope,  at  King  Philif^  rtqucil,  ecckriallicai  Judge  for 
Priefts,  Friars  and  Nuns,  to  examine  and  punifh  crimes 
of  difaffedion  to  his  Majefty  :  So,  for  a  while,  he  was 
Pope,  King,  and  Tyrant.     The  fi^ft  thing  he  did  was 
to  trive  the  public  an  account  of  the  crimes,  for  whicin 
all^he  prifoner?,  that  had  been  delivered,  were  confin- 
ed in   the  Inquifition,  to  vindicate  this    way  the  honor 
of  the  three  Inquilitors,  commandir,g,at  the  fam.e  time, 
all  forts  of  perfons  to  difcover,    and   fecure  any  of  the 
faid  prifoners,  under  pain  of  death.     This  proclama- 
tion w.^s  a  thing  never  before  heard  of,  and  we  ^pay  fay, 
thzi  fatisfaSfiononpetitd,  generat  fufpciGnern  :  For  re- 
ally, by  this,  they  d;d  declare  themfeives  guilty  of  what 
was   chaiaed  on  them,  in  relation  to  the  beragUo^  in  the 
op  nion  of  ferious,  fenfible  people.     But  every  body 
was  terrified  by  the  faid  proclamation,  and  none  dared 
to  fiy  any  thing  about  it. 

The  unmerciful  G?/frm'd?,  like  a  roaring  Hon,  begun 
to  devour    all  forts    of   p-eople,    (hewing,  by  this,    his 
great  affection  to   the  King,   and  fervent   zeal  for  the 
Pope  •,  for,  under  pretence  of  their  being  difafFc6led  ta 
his  M.^j-fly,  he  connned,  and  that  publicly,    near  three 
hundred  Friars,  and  one  hundred  and  filty  Priefts,  and 
a  great  number  of  the  la"ty.     Next   to   this,  he  made 
himfeif  mailer  of  their  eftates,  which  were  fold  public-   • 
iy,  being  bought  by  the  good  loyal  fubjeds.     He  did 
fufpend,  ab  officio  &  heneficio,  m^any  fecular  Priells,  and 
baniflied  them  out  of  the  dominions  of  Spain  i  whipc 
others  publicly,   baniflied  and   whipt  Friars,  and  took 
the  liberty  infolent^iy  to  go  into  the   monaftery  of  the 
Nuns  of  St.  Lucia,  and  whipt  fix  of  them,  for  being  af- 
i<^Rt6  to  Charles  the  ill.  and  he  irnprifoned  Dona  Ca- 
iheriiiaCavero,  only  for  being  the  head  of  the  imperial 
fadion.     But  obferve,  that  this  whipping  of  the  Nuns,. , 
is  only  giving  them  a  difcipline,  i.  e.  fo  nnany  ftrokes 
with  a  rod  on  the  Ihoulders  -,  but  Guerrero' h^^  fo  im- 
pudent aad  barefaced  a  Ntro^  that  cominancjing  the 

poor, 


244        A    M  A  S'T  E  R-K  E  r 

poor  Nuns  to  turn  their  habits  backwards,  and  difco^ 
ver  their  Ihoulders,  he  himfelf  was  the  executioner  of 
this  unparalleled  punifhment. 

As  to  the  laity  that  were  put  into  the  Inquifition,  and 
whofe  eftates  were  feized,  we  did  not  hear  any  thing 
of  ihem,  but  I  am  fure  they  did  end  their  miferable 
lives  in  that  horrid  place.  Many  of  them  left  a  great 
family  behind  them,  who  all  were  reduced  to  beggery  j 
for  when  the  heads  of  them  were  confined,  all  the  fa- 
rnilies  muft  fuffer  with  them  :  And  this  is  the  reafon, 
why  more  than  two  thoufand  families  left  the  city, 
and  every  thing  they  had,  rather  than  undergo  the  mi- 
Icries  of  that  time,  and  the  cruel  perfecution  of  Guer- 
rero :  So  we  may  believe,  that  having  fo  great  autho- 
rity as  he^had,  he  foon  could  recruit  his  Seraglio, 

Though  Guerrero  was  fo  bufy  in  the  affairs  of  the 
King,  he  did  not  forget  the  other  bufinefs  concerning 
the  Catholic  faith  •,  fo,  to  make  the  people  fenfible 
of  his  indefatigable  zeal,  he  begun  again  to  fummon 
Priefls  and  Friars  to  new  trials,  of  which  1  am  going 
to  fpcak : 

^he  trial  of  a  Friar  of  St.  Jerome,  crganift  of  the  con' 
veiit   in  Zaragofa. 

AL  L  the  fummoned  perfons  beinor  together  in 
the  hall,  the  prifoner  and  a  young  boy  were 
brought  out,  and  after  the  fiifllnquifitor  had  finifhed 
his  bitter  corredion,  the  fecretary  read  the  examina- 
tions and  fentence,  as  followeth  : 

Whereas  informations  weiemade,  and  by  evidences 
proved,  that  Fr.  Jofeph  Peralta  has  committed  the 
crime  of  Sodomy,  with  tlie  prcient  John  Romeo^  his 
difciple,  which  the  faid  Rcmeo  himfelf  owned  upon  in- 
terrogatories of  the  holy  I.  quifitors  :  They  having  an^ 
unfeigned  regard  lor  the  order  of  St  Jerome^  do  de- 
clare' and  condemn  the  {2^K\'Fv.Jcffph  Per  aha  lo  2i^^^x's 
CQnfiaeiiient  in  his  owa  Qoavent,  but  that  he  may  afiift 

at 


t9     P  0  P  E  R  r.  245 

at  the  divine  fervice,  and  celebrate  Mafs.  lUmy  for  an 
example  to  other  like  iinners,  the  holy  Fathers  declare 
that  the  faid  Jobn  is  to  be  whipt  through  the  public- 
(treets  of  the  town,  and  receive  at  every  corner,  as  ic  is 
a  cuilom,  five  lafhcs  •,  and  that  he  Ihall  wear  a  Coroza^ 
I.  e.  a  fort  of  a  mitre  on  his  head,  feathered  all  over,  as 
a  mark  ot  his  crime.  Which  fentencs  is  to  be  execut- 
ed on  Friday  next,  without  any  appeal. 

After  the  fecretary  had  done,  Don  Pedro  Guerrero 
did  afk  Fr.  Jojeph^  whether  he  had  any  thing  to  fay  a- 
gainft  the  lentence  or  not  ?  And  he  anfwering,  no,  the 
priloners  were  carried  back  to  their  prifons,  and  the 
company  was  difmifTed.  Obferve  the  equity  of  the 
Incjuifuors  in  this  cafe  :  The  boy  was  but  fourteen 
years  of  age,  under  the  power  of  Fr.  Jofeph^  and  he 
was  charged  with  the  penalty  and  punifhment,  Fr.  Jo- 
feph  did  deferve.  The  poor  boy  was  whipt  according 
to  fentence,  and  died  the  next  day. 

ne  trial  of  Father  Pueyo,  Confeffor  of  the  Nuns  at  St, 

Monica. 

THIS  criminal  had  been  but  fix  days  in  the  In- 
quifuion,  before  he  was  brought  to  hear  his  fen- 
tence,  and  every  thing  being  performed  as  before,  the 
Secretary  read  : 

Whereas  Father  Pueyo  has  Committed  fornication 
"with  five  fpiritual  dauphters  (fo  the  Nuns,  which  con- 
fefs  to  the  fame  Confcfior  contiriUally,  are  called)  which 
is,  befides  fornication,  facrilege,  and  tranfgrefTion  of 
oar  commands,  and  he  himfelf  having  owned  the  fadV, 
we  therefore  declare,  that  he  fhall  keep  his  cell  for 
three  week<^,  and  loofe  his  employment,  &c. 

The  Inquifir  r  ;.fk'd  him  whether  he  had  any  thing 
to  fay  againit  u  :  And  Father  Pueyo  faid.  Holy  Father, 
I  remember  that  when  I  wis  chofen  Father  ConfefTor 
of  the  Nuns  of  out  M  ^rher  St.  Monica,  vou  had  agfeac 
value  for  five  i'ouu^  iaciiu;s  of  the  Mv>nailery,  and  you 

fenc 


£4^  :d  M  J  s  r  E  R^K  E  r 

fent  for  me,  and  bcgg'd  of  me  to  take  care  of  them  % 
{o  I  have  done,  as  a  faithful  fcrvant,  and  may  fay  unto 
yov^Dcmine  quinque  talent  a  tradidijii  me,ec€e  alia  quhqus 
Juper  lucratus  Jum.  The  laquifitors  could  not  forbear 
Jauiihing  at  this  apphcation  of  the  fcripture  •,  amd  Don 
Fedro  Guerrero  was  fo  well  pleafed  with  this  anfwer, 
that  he  told  him.  Ton  J  aid  well:  Therefore,  Peccata 
tua  remittvniur  tibiy  nunc  vade  in  pace^  Cs?  noli  ampUus 
peccare.  This  was  a  pleafan:  trial,  and  Pueyo  was  ex- 
cuftd  from  the  performance  ot  his  penance  by  this  im- 
pious jeft. 

^he  trial  and  fentence  of  the  Licentiate  Lizondo. 

THE  Secretary  read  *the  examinations,  evidences 
and  conv'ftions,  and  the  faid  Lizondc(\vho  was  a 
Licentiate,  or  Mafter  of  Arts)  himfelf  did  own  the 
fadl,  which  was  as  followeth  : 

The  faid  Lizondo^  though  an  ingenious  man,  and  fit 
for  the  facerdotal  function,  would  not  be  ordained, 
giving  out  that  he  thought  him.felf  unworthy  of  fo  high 
dignity, as  to  have  everyday  the  Saviour  of  the  world  in 
his  hands,  after  the  conlecration.  And  by  this  feigned 
humility  he  began  to  infinuate  himfelf  into  the  people's 
opinion,  and  pals  for  a  religious,  godly  man,  among 
them.  He  (tudied  phyfic,  and  praflifcd  it  only  with 
the  poor,  in  the  beginning  •,  but  bting  called  afterwards 
by  the  rich,  and  cfpecialiy  by  the  Nuns,  at  laft  he  was 
found  out  in  his  wickednefs  •,  for  he  ufed  to  givefome- 
thing  to  make  the  young  ladies  flf:ep,  and  this  way  he 
obtained  his  lafcivious  defires.  But  one  of  theevidtrt- 
ces  (wore  that  he  had  done  thefe  things  by  the  help  of 
magic,  and  that  he  had  ufed  only  an  incantation, .with 
v/hich  ke  made  every  body  fall  aflecp  :  But  this  he 
abfolutely  denied,  as  an  impofition  and  falfity.  We 
did  expect  a  feve re  fentence,  but  it  v/as  only  that  the 
Licentiate  was  to  difcover  to  the  Inquiutors,  on  a  day 
appointed  by  them,  the  receipt  for  making  the  people 

fleep 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  247 

fieep  ;  and  that  the  puniO^ment  to  be  inflifled  on  him^ 
was  to  be  referred  to  the  difcretioa  of  the  holy  Fathers. 
We  faw  hini  afterwards  every  day  walkincr  in  the 
ftreets  •,  and  this  was  all  his  piinifhment.  We  mud: 
furely  beheve  that  fuch  crimes  are  reckoned  but  a  tri- 
fle among  them,  for  very  fcldom  they  fliew  any  great 
difpleafure  or  fcverity  to  thofe  that  are  found  guilty  of 
thcni. 

Of  the  order  of  the  Inquifitors  to  arreft  an  HORSE^  and 
to  bring  him  to  the  holy  office, 

THE  cafe  well  deferves  my  trouble  in  giving  a  full 
account  of  it  •,  fo  I  will  explain  it  from  the  be- 
ginning to  the  end.  The  Redor  of  the  univerfity  of 
Zaragofa  has  his  own  officers  to  arreft  the  fcholars, 
and  punifli  them  if  they  commit  any  crime.  Among 
their  officers  there  was  one  called  Guadalaxara,  who 
was  mighty  officious  and  troublefome  to  the  collegians 
or  fludents  •,  for  upon  the  lead  thing  in  the  world  he 
did  arreft  them.  The  fcholars  did  not  love  him  at  all, 
and  contrived  how  they  ftiould  punifti  him,  or  to  play 
fome  comical  trick  upon  him.  At  laft,  fome  of  the 
ftrongeftdid  agree  to  be  at  the  bottom  of  the  fteeple 
of  the  univerfity  in  the  evening,  and  fix  of  them  in  the 
belfry,  who  were  to  let  down  a  lufty  young  fcholar, 
tied  with  a  ftrong  rope,  at  the  hearing  ot  this  word^ 
TVAR.  So  the  fcholars  that  were  in  the  yard,  and  ac 
the  bottom  of  the  fteeple,  did  pick  a  quarrel  purpofely 
to  bring  Guadalaxara  there,  and  when  he  was  already 
among  them,  arrefting  one,  they  cried  out,  WAR,  Ac 
which  fign  the  fix  in  the  fteeple  let  down  the  tied  fcho- 
lar,  who  taking  in  his  arms  Guadalaxara^  and  being 
puH'd  up  by  the  fix,  he  carried  him  up  almoft  20  feec 
high,  and  let  him  fall  down.  The  poor  man  was  cry- 
ing out,  O^  Jefus !  The  Devil  has  taken  me  up.  The 
ftudents  that  were  at  the  bottom  had  inftruments  of 
muftc,  and  put  off  their  cloaks  to  receive  him  in,  and 

as 


as  he  cried  out,  The  Devil^  The  Devil^  the  mnficians 
anfwered  him  with  the  inftruments,  repeating  the  fame 
wordshe  did  pronounce  himfelf,  and  with  this,  gather- 
ing together  great  numbers  of  fcholars,  they  to«k  him 
in  the  middle,  continuing  always  the  mufic  and  fongs, 
to  prevent,  by  this,  the  people's  taking  notice  of  it,  and 
every  body  jelieved  that  it  was  only  a  mere  fcholaftical 
diverfion  :  So,  with  this  melody  and  rejoicings,  they 
carried  the  troublefome  Guadahxara  out  of  the  gates 
of  the  city  into  the  field,  calTd  the  Burnt  Place^  becaufc 
formerly  the  Heretics  were  burnt  in  that  field.  There 
was  a  dead  horfc,  and  opening  his  belly,  they  tied  the 
poor  officer  by  the  hands  and  legs,  and  placed  him 
within  the  horfe's  belly,  which  they  lewed,  leaving  the 
ht2id  oi  Gu^dalaxar a -out^  under  the  tale  of  the  horfc, 
and  fo  they  went  back  into  the  city.  How  difmal  that 
night  was,  to  the  poor  man,  any  body  may  imagine  ; 
but  yet  it  was  very  fweet  to  him,  in  comparifon  to 
what  he  fufFercd  in  the  morning  -,  for  the  dog's  *oing 
to  eat  of  the  dead  horfe's  flefh,  he,  for  fear  they  fhould 
cat  off  his  head,  continually  cried  out,  ho  !  ho  !  perrosy 
i.  e.  dogs,  and  that  day  he  found  that  not  only  the  fcho- 
lars, but  even  the  very  dogs,  were  afraid  of  him,  for 
dogs  did  not  d.irc  to  approach  the  dead  horfe.  The 
labourers  of  the  city,  who  are  a  moil  ignorant  fort  of 
people,  but  very  pfeafant  in  their  ruftic  exprefiions, 
going  out  to  the  field,  by  break  of  the  day,faw  the  dogs 
rear  the  horfe,  and  heard  the  voice,  ho  !  ho  !  perros. 
They  look'd  up  and  down,  and  feeing  nobody,  drew 
near  the  horfe,  and  hearing  the  fame  vc^ce,  frightened 
out  of  their  fenfes,  went  into  the  city  again,  and  gave 
out  that  a  dead  horlc  was  fpeaking  in  the  Burnt-Field^ 
and  as  they  did  affirm  and  fwear  the  thing  to  be  true, 
crouds  of  people  went  to  fee  and  hear  the  wonder,  or, 
as  many  others  laid,  the  miracle  of  a  dead  horfe  fpeak« 
ing.  A  Public- Notary  was  among  the  mob,  but  no- 
body dared  to  go  near  the  horfe  :  This  Notary  went 
to  the  Inquifitors  to  make  affidavit  of  this  cafe,   and 

added. 


t9    P  0  P  E  R  r. 


H9 


added, that  nobody  having  courage  enough  to  approach 
the  horfe,  it  was  proper  to  lend  feme  of  the  Friars,  with 
holy  water  and  Sloia,  to  exorcife  the  horfe,  and  find  out 
the  caufc  of  his  fpeaking.  But  the  InquifKors,  who 
think  to  command  beaits  as  well  as  realonaole  creatures, 
fent  fix  of  their  ofHcers,  with  ftrid  orders,  to  carry  the 
horfe  to  the  holy  office.  Tiie  officers  having  an  opi- 
nion that  the  Dc^vil  mud  fubmit  to  them,  went,  and  ap-. 
proaching  the  horfe,  they  faw  the  head  under  the  tail, 
and  the  poor  man  crying  out,  help,  take  me  out  of 
this  putrified  grave  °,  for  God's  fake,good  people,make 
hafte,  for  I  am  not  the  Devil,  nor  ghoff,  nor  appariti- 
on, but  the  real  body  and  foul  of  Guadalaxara^  the 
Conftable  of  the  Univerfity  -,  and  I  do  renounce,  in 
this  place,  the  office  of  arreifing  fcholars  forever  ;  and 
I  do  forgive  them  this  wrong  done  to  mc,  and  thanks 
be  to  God,  &  to  the  Virgin  of  Pilar^  who  has  prefervcd 
my  body  from  being  converted  into  a  dead  horfe,  that 
I  am  alive  ftill. 

Thefc  plain  demonftrations  of  the  nature  of  the 
thing  did  not  convince,  in  the  leail,  the  offi':ers  of  ths 
Inquifition,  who  are  always  very  ftricft  in  the  perform- 
ance of  the  orders  given  them ',  fo  they  took  xht  deacj 
horfe  and  carried  it  to  the  Inquifition.  Never  v/ere  more 
people  {ttn  in  the  ftreets  and  windows,  than  on  that 
day,  bc-fides  the  great  croud  that  followed  tint  corps, 
which  I  fawmyfelf;  the  Inquifitors  having  notice  be- 
fore-hand, went  to  the  hall  to  receive  the  informations 
from  the  horfe,  and  after  they  had  afl^ed  him  many 
queftions,  the  poor  man  pufhing  up  the  tail  with  his 
nofe,  to  fpeak,  to  fee,  and  to  be  feen,  ftill  anfwering 
them;  the  wife  holy  Fathers  truiling  not  to  his  in- 
formation, gave  order  to  the  (  fficers  to  carry  the  fpeak- 
ing  horfe  to  the  torture^  which  being  done  according- 
ly, as  they  begun  to  turn  the  ropes  through  the  horfe*s 
belly,  at  the  third  turning  ot  them  the  fk  n  of  the  bel- 
ly broke,  and  the  real  body  of  Guadalapcara  did  appear 
in  all  his  dinienfions,  and  by  the  horfe's  torture,   he 

F  i  foved 


25©  J    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  r 

faved  his  life.  The  poor  man  died  three  weeks  afrer^ 
and  he  forgave  the  fcholars  who  contrived  this  mifckief^j 
and  an  elegy  was  made  on  his  death. 

Thefis  defended  by  F.  James  Garcia,  in  the  hall  of  th^ 

Iviqiifition, 

THE  cafe  of  the  Reverend  Father  T,  James  Garcia^ 
made  a  great  noife  in  Spain^  which  was  thus. 

This  fame  James  Grrcia  is  the  leainexl  man,  of  whcm 
I  have  jprke  ftverai  tin  cs  in  my  book.  His  Father, 
though  a  (h.^e-rn^ktr  by  trade,  v  as  very  honeft  and 
well  beloved,  and  as  God  had  bfftowed  en  him  riches 
enou-h,  and  having  tpt  one  child,  he  gave  him  the 
befl  tducaricR  he  cculd  in  the  collegeof^r/«;Vj,  where 
in  the  Uudy  of  grammar,  he  fignalized  hinilclf  for  his 
vivacity,  and  tinccn  mon  wit.  After  going  to  the  uni- 
verfity,  he  went  thiorgh  philoiophy  and  divinity  to 
the  admiration  of  his  mafters  •,  he  entered  Sr.  Jugujiin'^ 
order,  and. after  his  noviciate  v»as  er ded,  defnous  to 
cbta'n  ihe  degree  cf  m?fler  of  arts,  he  deferdcd  pub- 
lic thtfis  of  philofophy,  and  after,  other  thcfis  cf  divi- 
nity, wiihoucany  miOderaior  to  anfwer  for  him  in  cafe 
cf  nectfiny.  Ihe  thefis  and  feme  propofitions  were 
quite  ntw  to  the  learned  people :  For  rmong  other 
proprfii!<.,n  ,  one  was,  Imiccentium  efje  lerum  fcntificem^ 
non  eft  de  fide  i.  e.  It  is  not  an  article  of  faith,  tiiat 
Innccent  is  t!  <  tiie  Pf  pe.  And  ntxt  to  this  p^ropofi- 
tion,  this  other:  ]<icn  credere  quad  non  video^  n  en  eft 
contra  fidem  It  is  not  againft  the  Catholic  iaith  not  to 
believe  what  I  don't  fre. 

Upon  account  of  thefe  two  propofitions,  he  wa^ 
fummjned  by  the  Inquififors,  and  ordered  to  defend 
the  faid  propofitions  ieparattly  in  the  hall  of  the  Inqui- 
fition,  and  anfwer  for  f  x  days  k  geiher  to  all  the  argu- 
ments of  the  learned  ^mdificatcrs  \  which  he  did,  and 
kept  his  ground,  that  inflead  of  being  puniihed  for  it, 
he  was  hcnoitd  with  the  Ciofs  of  ^lallficator^  a^ter 

the 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  251 

the  examinations  were  made  of  the  purity  of  his  hlovod. 

Sentence  given   againft    l.^'^rtnct  Cd^^vo^Goldfmith^  of 

Za'agofa. 

LAWRENCE  Caflro  was  the  mod  famous  and 
wealthy  goidlmiih  ifi  the  city,  and  as  he  went  one 
da;  t )  carry  a  piece  of  ;:d:iie  to  D  )i\  Pedro  Guerrero^  be- 
fere  he-  paid  h.m,  he  bad  him  to  go  and  fee  the  houfe 
alon^  with  one  oi'  his  domcdiC  lervants ;  which  he 
did,  and  leemj^  nochin^i;  buc  d  jo/s  of  iron,  and  hearino: 
nothing  but  LaiePtarions  of  the  ptoplc  wichin,  hav- 
ing rcained  to  the  [nquifiiors  apartment,  Don  Pedro 
afked  him  Lawrence^  how  do  you  like  this  place  ?  To 
which  Lavjrencs  la  d,  I  ^^  not  like  it  at  all,  for  it 
feems  to  me  the  very  Hrli  upon  earth.  This  innocent, 
but  true  anfvver,  was  the  only  occafiDn  of  his  misfor- 
tune; for  he  was  immediately  Tent  into  one  of  the 
htll.fli  prifons,  and  at  the  fame  time  many  ofScers  went 
to  his  houfe  to  fcize  upon  every  tnmg,  and  that  day 
he  appeared  at  the  bar,  arvd  his  fencence  was  read  •,  he 
was  condemned  to  b.^  whipt  through  the  public  (Ireets, 
to  be  marked  on  his  (houlders  with  a  burning  iron,  and 
to  he  fent  forever  to  the  gallies  :  Buc  the  good,  honeflr, 
unfortunate  man  died  that  very  day;  all  his  crime  be- 
ing only  to  fay,  that  the  holy  office  did  feem  to  him 
Heil  on  earth. 

At  the  fame  time,  a  lady  of  good  fortune  was 
whipr,  becaufe  (he  ^id  in  company,  I  do  not  know 
whether  the  Pope  is  a  man,  or  a  woman,  and  I  hear 
wonderful  things  of  him  every  day,  and  I  do  imagine, 
he  muft  be  an  animal  very  rare.  For  thefe  words  fhe 
loft  honor,  fortune,  and  life,  for  fhe  died  fix  days  after 
the  execution  of  her  fentence :  And  thus  the  holy  Fa* 
thers  punifh  trifling  things,  and  leave  unpunifhed  hor- 
rible crmies. 

The  following  inftance  will  be  a  demonflration  of 
chis  truth,  and  fiicw  how  the  Inquifitors  favour  the 

ccclefiaftics 


2S^  A    M  J  S  r  E  R-K  E  r 

ccclcfiadlcs  more  than  the  laity,  and  the  reafon  why 
they  arc  more  fevere  upon  one  than  the  other. 

In  the  diocefs  of  Murcia  was  a  parifh  Pritfl  in  a 
village  in  the  mountains.  The  people  of  it  weic  almofb 
all  of  them  fhepherds,  and  were  obliged  to  be  always 
abroad  with  their  flocks,  fo  the  Prieit  being  the  com-^ 
mander  of  the  HiepherdefTes,  begun  to  preach  every 
Friday  in  the  afternoon,  all  the  congregation  being 
compofed  of  the  women  of  the  town.  His  conftanc 
fubjed  was  the  indifpenfable  duty  of  paying  the  tithes 
to  him,  and  this  not  only  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  but 
of  the  feventh  of  their  facraments  too,  which  is  matri- 
mony, and  he  had  fuch  great  eloquence  to  perfuade 
them  to  fccrecy,  as  to  thier  hufbands,  and  a  ready  fub- 
mifiion  to  him,  that  he  begun  to  reap  the  fruit  of  his 
do6brine  in  a  few  days,  and  by  this  wicked  example^ 
he  brought  into  the  lift  of  the  tithes  all  the  married 
women  of  the  town,  and  he  did  receive  from  them  the 
tenth  for  fix  years  together :  But  his  infernal  doctrine 
and  pra6lice  was  difcovered  by  a  young  woman  who 
was  to  be  married,  of  whom  the  Prieft  afked  the  tithe 
before- hand  •,  but  flic  telling  it  to  her  fweet- heart,  he 
went  to  dilcover  the  cafe  to  the  next  Commiffary  of  the 
Inquifition,  who  having  examined  the  matter,  and 
found  it  true,  he  took  the  Prieft  and  fent  him  to  the  In- 
quifition -,  he  was  found  guilty  of  fo  abominable  a  fin, 
and  he  himfelf  contefi^ed  it,  and  v^hat  was  the  punifli- 
ment  infl  ded  on  him  ?  Only  to  confine  him  in  a  Friar's 
cell  for  fix  monihs.  The  Prieft  being  confined,  made 
a  virtue  of  necefiiry,  and  fo  he  compofed  a  fmall  book, 
entitled,  The  true  Penitent^  which  was  univerfally  ap- 
proved by  all  forts  of  people  for  folid  dodlrine  and  mo- 
rality. He  dedicated  the  work  to  the  holy  Inquifitors, 
whojtor  a  reward  of  his  pains,  gave  him  another  parifli 
a  gieat  deal  better  than  the  firft  :  But  hardened 
"Wretch  !  There  he  fell  again  to  the  fame  trade  of  re- 
ceiving the  tithes  s  upon  which  the  people  of  the  parifli 
compiaintd  to  the  Governor,  who  acquainted  tht  King 

with 


U    P  O  P  E  R  r.  253 

with  the  carc,andhis  Majefly  ordered  the  Inquifitors  to 
apply  a  fpeedy  remedy  to  it ;  fo  the  holy  Fathers  did 
fend  him  to  the  Pope's  gallies  for  five  ye^rs  time. 

1  mud  own,  it  is  quite  againft  my  inclination  tooive 
this  and  the  like  accounts,  for  it  will  feem  very  much 
out  of  the  v/ay  of  a  clerg^^man  :  But  if  the  reader  will 
makerefl-dions  on  them,  and  confider  that  my  defigri 
is  only  to  fhev/  how  unjuftly  the  Inquifitors  doadt  in 
this  and  other  cafes,  he  will  certainly  excufc  me  ;  for 
they  really  defervc  to  be  ridiculed  more  than  argued 
againft,  reafoning  being  of  no  force  with  them  -,  but  a 
difcovery  of  their  infamous  adions  and  laws,  may-be, 
will  produce,  if  not  in  them,  in  fome  people  at  leaft  a 
good  cfFefl. 

The  Roman  Catholics  believe  there  is  a  Purgatory, 
and  that  the  fouls  fuffer  more  pains  in  it  than  in  Hell : 
But  I  think  that  the  Inquifition  is  the  only  Purgatory 
on  earth,  and  the  holy  Fathers  are  the  judges  anrl  exe- 
cutioners in  it.  The  reader  may  form  a  dreadful  idea 
of  the  barbarity  of  that  tribunal, by  what  I  have  already 
faid,  but  I  am  fure  it  never  will  come  up  to  what  it  is 
in  reality,  for  it  pafleth  all  underftanding,  not  as  the 
peace  of  Gody  but  as  the  war  of  the  Devil. 

So  that  we  may  eafily  know  by  this,  and  the  afore- 
faid  account,  that  they  leave  off  the  obfervance  of  the 
firft  precepts  of  the  holy  office,  and  chaftife  only  thofe 
that  fpeak  either  againft  the  Pope,  clergy,  or  the  holy 
Inquifition. 

The  only  reafon  of  fettling  that  tribunal  in  Spain  was 
to  examine  and  chaftife  finners,  or  thofe  that  publicly 
contemned  the  Catholic  faith :  But  now  a  man  may 
blafpheme,  and  commit  the  moft  heinous  crimes,  if  he 
fays  nothing  againft  the  three  mentioned  articles,  he 
is  free  from  the  hellifti  tribunal. 

Let  us  except  from  this  rule  the  rich  Jews^  for  the 
poor  are  in  no  fear  of  being  confined  th  re,  they  are 
the  rich  alone  that  fuffer  in  that  place,  not  for  the  crime 
of  Jewdai/my  (though  this  is  the  colour  and  pretence) 

buc 


^4  '^    M  A  Sr  E  R-K  E  Y 

but  for  the  crme  ot  having  riches.  Francifro  Alfar^l 
Vijeiv,  and  a  very  rich  one,  was  kept  in  ^hc  Lquifi- 
tion  or  Sevflla  tour  years,  and  aUer  he  had  Lil  ail  he 
had  in  the  world,  was  dilchargeci  c  ut  of  it  with  a  fmall 
corre6lion  :  This  was  to  encourage  him  to  tiade  again, 
and  get  moie  riches,  which  he  did  in  four  years  time  : 
Then  he  was  put  again  into  the  holy  office,  wiih  the 
Jojs  of  his  goo.  s  and  money.  And  after  thite  years 
impriionment  he  was  difcharged,  and  ordered  to  vear, 
for  fix  iTonths,  the  mark  of  San- Benito^  i.  e.  a  p  cture 
of  a  man  in  the  middle  of  the  fire  of  Hell,  which  he  was 
to  wtar  before  his  breaft  publicly*  But  Alfa^o  a  fesv 
days  atttr  left  the  city  ot  Sevih'a^  and  feeing  a  pig  with- 
out the  gate,  he  hung  the  San- Benito  on  the  pig's  neck, 
and  made  i:is  eicape..  I  faw  xhisjew  \v\  Lijhon  and  he 
told  me  the  flory  himfelf,  adding,  now  j  am  a  poor 
"jfeiv^  1  tell  every  body  fo,  and  though  the  IrqUilition  is 
more  feveie  here  than  in  Spain^  nobody  lakes  notixc  of 
me:  I  am  fure,  they  would  confine  me  Jor  ev  r,  .f  I 
had  as  much  riches  as  1  had  in  Sevilla.  R/aliy  the 
holy  cfHce  is  more  cruel  and  irhuman  m  Poriugai  ihaa 
in  Spain^  for  I  never  faw  any  publicly  burnt  in  my  own 
country,  and  I  faw  in  IJjbsn  feven  at  once,  four  ycurg 
Nvomen  and  three  men  ;  two  young  women  vvere  burnt 
^live,  &  an  old  man,  and  the  others  were  ftrangkd  firft. 
But  being  obliged  to  difmifs  this  chapter,  ana  leave 
cut  many  curious  hiftorics,  I  do  promile  to  relate  them 
in  the  fecond  part  of  this  work.  Now  let  me  entreat 
all  true  Proteftants  to  join  with  me  in  my  hearty  pray- 
er to  God  Almighty,  thus  : 

O  eternal  God,  who  deft  rule  the  hearts  of  Kings, 
and  ordereft  every  thing  to  the  glory  of  the  true  religi- 
on, pour  thy  holy  fpirit  upon  the  heart  of  Lewis  the 
firft,  that  he  may  fee  the  barbarous,  unchriftian  prac- 
lices.of  the  Inquifitors,  and  with  a  firm  refolution  abo- 
Jifh  all  laws  contrary  to  thofe  given  us  by  thy  only  fon, 
our  Saviour,  Jefus  Chrift  our  Lord.  Amen^ 

PART. 


Sfi    P  0  P  E  R  r.  25^ 

PARTY. 

Of  their  prayers^    adcration   of  images 

and  reLcs. 

ARTICLE     L 

Of  iheir  Pr&yers, 

THE  prayers fung  or  faid,  in  the  church,  arefeven 
canonical  hours,  or  the  y^w;?/^ri.'/V^j*,  viz.  Tertiaj 
Sexta^  Nona,  Vefper^,  Maiutina  iy  Complete.  Prima 
is  compoied  of  the  general  conftirion,  three  pfalms  and 
many  other  prayers,  with  the  Martyrologio  San5lorum^ 
i.  e.  with  a  commemoration  of  all  the  faints  of  that 
day.  Tertia^  is  a  prayer,  or  fcrvice  of  three  pfalms, 
anthem,  and  the  colled:  of  the  day,  Src.  Sexta^  &  No^ 
fia  are  the  fame.  Vefper^y  or  evening  fongs,  contain 
five  anthems,  five  plalms,  an  hymn,  Magnificat^  or 
my  loul  doth  magnify,  &c.  with  an  anthem,  colled  of 
the  day,  and  commemorations  of  fome  faints.  MatutU 
fia^  or  matins,  is  the  longeft  fcrvice  of  the  feven,  for  it 
contains,  \ft.  The  pfalm,  O  conu  letusfmg^  2 J.  An 
hymn.  ^d.  Three  anthems,  three  pfalms,  and  three 
lellbns  of:  the  old  teftament.  ^th.  Three  anthems, 
three  pfalms,  and  three  klfons  of  the  day,-i.  e.  of  the 
life  ofthe  faint  of  that  day,  crof  the  myftery  of  it.  5/^. 
Three  anthems,  three  pfalms,  three  lelFons,  of  which 
the  firlt  beginneth  with  the  gofpel  of  the  day,  and  two 
or  three  lines  of  it,  and  the  reft  is  an  homily,  orexpofi- 
lion  of  the  gcfpel.  6th,  Ts  Deum.  yth.  Five  an- 
thems, five  pfalms,  an  hymn,  anthem  ofthe  day,  the 
pfalm,  Blejfed  be  the  Lord  of  Ifrael,  &c.  The  colled  of 
the  day,  and  lome  commemorations.  CcmpletiC,  or 
complice?,  is  the  lull  fervice,  which  contains  ihe  general 
conieflicn,  an  anthem,  three  or  four  pfalms,  and,  Lord 
mw  Utteji  tboUy  6wC.  and  fome  other  adhertnt  prayers 

ibr 


^5^  'AMASTER-KET 

for  the  Virgin,  the  holy  Crofs,  faints,  &c.  All  thefe 
feven  fervices  arcfaid,  or  fung  in  Latin^  every  day  ia 
cathedral  churches,  but  not  in  all  the  parifh  churches. 

In  the  cathedral  churches  on  the  fcftivals  of  the  firft 
clafs,  or  the  greateft  feflivals,  as  thofe  of  Chrift  and 
the  Virgin  Mary,  all  the  feven  canonical  hours  are  fung. 
Prima,  at  fix  in  the  morning,  and  a  Mafs  after  it.  Ter- 
tia,  at  ten,  the  great  Mafs  after,  and  after  the  Mafs, 
Sexta  and  Nona.  At  two,  or  three  in  the  afternoon, 
the  evening  fong^  at  feven,  complices,  and  half  an  hour 
after  midnight  the  matins.  In  the  feftivals  of  the 
fecond  clafs,as  thofe  of  the  Apoftles,  &  fome  faints  plac» 
cd  in  that  clafs  by  the  Popes,  Tenia,  evening  fongs 
and  matins  are  all  that  are  fung,  and  likewife  every 
day,  though  not  with  organ,  nor  mufic» 

In  the  pariQi  churches  the  Pncfts  fing  only  Tertla^ 
and  evening  fongs  on  Sundays  Sind  feftivals  of  the  firft 
clafs  ;  except  where  there  are  fome  foundations,  or 
fettlemcnts  for  finging  evening  fongs  on  other  private 
days.  But  the  great  Mafs  is  always  lung  in  every  pa- 
rifh church,  befides  the  MafP^s  for  the  dead,  which 
are  fettled  to  be  fung. 

In  the  Convents  of  the  Friars,  they  do  cbferve  the 
method  of  the  cathedrals,  except  fome  days  of  the 
week  granted  to  them  by  the  Prior,  as  recreation  days, 
and  then  they  fay  the  fervice,  and  go  to  divert  them- 
felves  all  the  day  after.  As  to  the  Nuns,  I  have  given 
an  account  in  the  firft  chapter  of  their  lives  and  conver- 
fation. 

The  Priefts  and  Friars  that  do  not  fay,  or  fing  the 
fervice  with  the  community,  are  obliged  in  confcience 
to  fay  thofe  feven  canonical  hours  every  day,  and  if 
they  do  not,  they  commit  a  mortal  fin,  and  ought  to  con- 
fcfs  it  among  the  fins  of  omijjion,  Bcfides  thefe  fcveii 
fervi:es,  they  have,  not  by  precept,  but  by  devotion, 
the  fervice,  or  fmall  ofBce  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  the  fcveri 
penitential  plalms,  and  other  prayers  of  faints,  which 
arc  by  long  cuftom  become  fervices  of  precept,  for 

they 


u    P  O  P  E  R  T.  ^sf 

tney  never  will  dare  to  omit  them,  either  for  devotion's 
fake,  or  for  fear  that  the  laity  would  tax  them  with 
coldnefs  and  negligence  in  matters  of  exemplary  devo- 
tion. 

As  to  the  public  prayers   of  the  laity,  they  all  are 
contained  in  the   beads  or  rofary  of  the  Virgin  Mary^ 
and  to  give  them  fome  fmall  comfort,  there  is  a  fixed 
time  in  the  evening  in  every   church    for  the  rofary.— 
The   fexton  rings  the  bell,  and  when  the  parifhioners, 
both  men  and  women,  are  ffarhered  tog-ether,  the  Mini- 
fter  of  the  parifh,  or  any  other  Prieil,    comes  out   of 
the  veftry,  in  his  furplice,  and  goes  to  the  altar  of  the 
Virgin  Mary^  and  lighting  two  or  more  candles  on  the 
altar's  table,  he  kneels  down  before  the  altar,  makes 
the  fign  of  the  Grofs,  and  begins  the  rofary  with  a  pray- 
er to  the  Virgin  ;  and  after  he  has  faid  half  of  the  yfi;^ 
Maria^  &c.  the  people  fay    the  other  half,   which   he 
repeats  ten  times,  the   people  doing  the  lame.     Then 
he  fays  Gleria  Patra^  Sec,  and  the  people  anfv/er,  yisiS 
was  in  the  beginnings  &c.   Then,    in  the  fame  manner, 
the  Prieft  fays  half  of  Our  Father^  and  ten  times  half 
Ave  Maria^  and  fo  he  and  the  people  do,  tdl  they  have 
faid  them  fifty  times.     This  done,  rhe  P.ieft  lays  ano- 
ther prayer  to  the  Virgin,  and  begins  her  Litany,  and 
after  every  one  of  her  titles,  or  encomium?,  the  f^ople 
anfwer,  Ora  pro  nohis^  pray  for  us.     The  Litany  end- 
ed, the  Pneft  and  people  vifit  five  altars,  faying,  before 
each  of  them,  one  Pater  Nofter^  and  one  Ave  MariUy 
with  Gloria  Patra  ;   and,   laftly,  the    Prieft,   kn-eling 
down  before  the  great  altar,  fays   an  ad  of  contrifon^ 
and  endeth  with  Lighten  our  darknefs,  we  befeech  thes^ 
Sec.     All  the  prayers  of  the  rofary  are  in   the  vuliiar 
tonoue,  except  Gloria  Patra,    and   Ora  pro  nobis,  i^e. 
Glcry  be  to  thee.  Sec,  and  Pray  for  us. 

After  the  rofary,  in  fome  churches,  there  is  Oratia 
mentalis,  i.  e.  a  prayer  of  meditation,  and  for  this  pur- 
pofe  the  Prieft  of  the  rofary^  or  fome  other  of  devout 
life  and  converfation,  readcth  a  chapter  in  fome  «^evout 

G  g  book. 


25S  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R'K  E  T 

book,  af5  nomas  de  Kempis,  or  Francis  de  .S(7/<?j,  or  F^^ 
/^^r  Eufebio^  of  the  difFtience  betvteen  temporal  and 
ctero-al  things,  and  when  he  has  ended  the  chapter,  c- 
very  one'en  their  knees,  begin  to  meditate  on  the  con- 
rents  ot  the  chapter,  with  great  devotion  and  filence. 
They  continue  in  that  prayer  half  an  hour,  or  more, 
and  after  it,  the  Piicfts  fay  a  prayer  of  thankfgiving  to 
God  Almighty,  for  the  benefits  received  from  him  by- 
all  there  pre  fen  t,  ^c, 

I  mud  own,  that  I  did  always  like  this  exercife  of 
Chriftian  devotion.  For  in  the  books,  the  good  Priefts 
make  ufc  of  for  that  purpofe,  there  is  no  luperflitious 
do(flrine,  except  touching  the  myflery  of  the  Lord's 
fupper,  and  even  in  this,  the  flyle  is  fo  ambiguous,  that 
both  Proteftants,  and  Romans  may  ufe  and  underiland 
it  each  in  their  own  way.  As  for  the  reft  ot  the  medi- 
tation, it  is  only  a  fort  of  humiliation  before  God  Al- 
mighty, contemplating  his  attributes,  and  our  unwor- 
thinefs,  and  afking  his  grace  and  holy  fpirit  to  better 
©ur  lives,  and  to  ferve  him  with  a  pure  and  contrite 
heart.  So  if  all  their  prayers,  worfhip,  and  ceremo- 
nies, were  as  free  from  idolatry  and  fuperftition,as  this 
of  meditation  is,  I  confefs  the  church  oi  Rome  v/ould 
have  no  corruptions  at  all. 

I  faid  Public  prayers  of  the  laity  \  for  when  ihey  afTift 
at  the  divine  fervice,  or  hear  Mafs,  they  only  hear  what 
the  Pried:  fays  in  Latin^  and  aniwer  Amen,  Generally 
fpeaking,  they  do  not  underftand  Latin^  and  cfpecially 
in  towns  of  300  houies  and  villages,  there  fcarcely  can 
be  found  one  Latiriiji,  except  the  curate,  &  even  he  ve- 
ry often  doth  not  underftand  perfe6lly  well  what  he  reads 
in  Latin  :  By  this  univerfal  ignorance,  wc  may  fay, 
that  they  do  not  know  what  they  pray  for  5  nay,  if  a 
Prieft  was  fo  wicked  in  heart,  as  to  curfethc  people  in 
church,  and  damn,  them  all  in  Latin,  the  poor  idiots 
muft  anfwer  AmeHy  knowing  not  what  the  Prieft  fays. 
I  do  not  blame  the  common  people  in  this  point,  but 
I  blame  the  Pope  and  Priefts  that  forbid  them  to  read 

the 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  259 

the  fcriptnre,  anc'  by  this  prohibition  they  cannot  know 
what  St.  Paul  lays  about  praying  in  the  vulgar  tongue  : 
So  Pope  and  Priefls,  and  thofe  that  plead  ignorance, 
mud:  anfwer  ior  the  people  before  the  dreadtul  tribu- 
nal otG(:d, 

Befides  this  public    prayer  of  the  rofary,  they  have 
private  prayers  at  home,  as  the  creec^^  the  Lord's  prayer  y 
a  prayer  to  the  Virgin^  the  a5i  of  contrition^  and  other 
prayers  to  Saints,  Angels,  and  for  fouls  in  Purgatory, 
Butthis  prayer  of  the  rofary  isnotonly  faid  inchurch, 
hue  it  is  fung  in  the  (Ireets,  and  the  cuftom  was  intro- 
duced by  the  Doimnican  Friars,  who,  in  fome  parts  of 
Spain^  are  called  l^'he  Fathers  of  the  holy  rofary.      Sun- 
days and  holy  days,  after  evening  fongs^  the  Prior  of  the 
Dominicans^    with    all   his    Friars  aid   corporation,  or 
f»aternity  of  the  holy  rofary,  begins  the  Virgin's  evening 
fcn^s,  all  the  while  ringing  the  bells,   which  is   a  call 
for  the  proccflion,  and  when  the  evening  fongs  are  o- 
verj  the  Clerk  ot  the  Convent,  dreft  in  his  Alva  or  fur- 
pi  ce,  taking  the    ilandard    where  the   pi(5lure  of  the 
Virgin  Mary  is  drawn  wich  a  frame  of  rofes,  and  two 
novices  in    furplices,    with   candleflick?,  walking  on 
each  fide   of  the   ftandard,  the  proceflion  beginncth. 
Fir(f,  all  the  brethren  of   the  corporation  go   out  of 
church,  each  with  a  wax  candle  in  his  hand  ^  the  fland- 
ard  folio  A^eth  after,  and  all  the  Friars,  in  two  lines,  fol- 
low the  (landard.     In  this    order  the  procefTion  goes 
through   the  flreets,  all  finging  Ave  Maria ^  and  the 
laity  anfv^ering  as   before.     They  ftop  in  fome  public 
flreet,  where  a  Friar,  upon  a  table,  preacheth  a  fermo/i 
of  the  excellency    and  power  of  the  rofary,  and  gather- 
ing together  the  people,  they  go  back  again  into  the 
churck,   where  the  rofary   being  over,   another  Friar 
preacheth  upon   the  fame  fubjeS  another  fermon,  ex- 
horting the  people   to  pradlice  this  devotion  of  the  ro» 
fary,  and  they  have  carried  lo  far  this  extravagant  folly, 
that  if  a  man  is  found  dead,  and  has  not  the  beads  or 
rofary  of  the  Virgin  in  his  pocket,  that  man  is  not  reck- 
oned 


z6o  "^MJSTER-KET 

oned  a  Chriftian,  and  he  is  not  to  be  buried  in  conf^j- 
crated  ground  till  feme  body  knoweth  him,  and  certi- 
iieth  that  fuch  a  man  was  a  Chriftian,  and  pafTeth  his 
word  for  him.  So  every  body  takes  care  to  have  al-* 
ways  the  beads  or  rofary  in  his  pocket,  as  the  charac- 
teriftic  ot  a  Chi  illian.  But  this  devotion  of  the  rofary 
is  made  fo  common  among  bigots,  that  they  arc  always 
with  the  beads  in  their  hands,  and  at  night  round  about 
their  necks.  There  is  nothing  more  ufual  in  Sf^in 
and  Portugal,  than  to  fee  people  in  the  markets,  and 
in  theihops,  praying  with  their  beads,  and  felHn*;  and 
buying  at  the  fame  time;  nay,  the  procurers  in  the 
great  Piazza  are  praying  with  their  beads,  and  at  the 
fame  time  contriving  and  agreeing  with  a  man  for 
wicked  intrigues.  -  So  all  forts  of  perfons  having  it  as 
a  Jaw  to  fay  the  rofary  every  day,  feme  fay  it  walking, 
others  in  company  (keeping  fiientfor  awhile)  but  the 
reft  talking  orlaugiiing:  So  great  is  their  attention 
and  devotion  in  this  indifpenfable  prayer  of  the  holy 
rofary. 

But  this  is  not  the  worft  of  their  practices  ;  for  if  a 
man,  or  Pricfl,  ncglt6ls  one  day  to  fay  the  rofary,  he 
cloth  not  commit  a  mortal  fin,  though  this  is  a  great 
fault  among  them  :  But  the  divine  fervice,  or  feven 
canonical  hours,  every  Pritft,  Friar,  and  Nun,  is  obli- 
ged to  fay  every  day,  or  clfe  they  commit  a  mortal  fin, 
by  the  ftatutes  of  the  church  and  Popes.  This  fer- 
vice, which  is  to  be  faid  in  private,  and  with  Chriftian 
devotion,  is  as  much  profaned  among  ecclefi'alf  ics  and 
Nuns,  as  the  rofary  among  the  laity  :  for  I  have  ktn 
many  ecclefiailics  (and  I  have  dor^e  it  myfelf  feveral 
times)  play  at  cards,  and  have  the  breviary  on  the  ta- 
ble, to  fay  the  divine  fervice  at  the  fame  time.  Others 
walking  in  company,  and  others  doing  ilill  worfc 
things  than  thefe,  have  the  breviary  in  their  hands, 
and  reading  the  fervice,  when  they  at  the  fame  time 
are  in  occaBone  proxima  peccati  ;  and,  notwithftanding, 
they  btlieve  they  have  performed  exadly  that  part 
of  the  eccleriaftical  duty.  Next 


t9.    P  0  P  E  R  r.  25i 

Next  to  this  abomination,  is  that  pracSlifed  between  a 
Nun,  and  her  Devote,  or  gallant :   I  iaid,  that  the  pro- 
fefled  Nuns  arc  obliged  in  confcience  to  Tay  the  divine 
fervice  in  Lalin,  every  day,  which  requires  .more  than 
an  hour  and  a  quarter  to  be  faid  diftinctlv  :  But  as  they, 
and  their  Devotoes,  fpend  all  their  time,  while   abfent 
one  from  another,  in  writing  letters  of  love  to  one  ano- 
ther,  they   have  no  time  to  lav  the  divine  fervice,   if  it 
happens,  that  they  did  not  afllil  that  day  at  the  public 
fervice.     Then  when  they  are  at  the  grate  in  lafcivious 
converfation,  if  fome  other  company  happens  to  come 
to  the  fame  grate,  and  interrupt  them  in  their  wicked 
pradices,  the  Nun   fetcheth    two   breviaries,    one  for 
herfelf,  and  one  for  he-r  gallant,  and  alternatively  ihey 
fay  the  feven  canonical  hours,  while  the  other  compa- 
ny is  there  -,  and  though   they  are  faying,    I^e  praife 
thee^  O  Lord,  &c.  when  the  company  goes  away,  they 
leave  immediately,  for  a  while,  the  breviary,  and  eome 
again  to   their  amorous    expreflions,    and  obfcene  ac- 
tions, which  ended,  they  go  on   with   the   divine  fer- 
vice. 

1  know  that  modefly  obligeth  me  to  be  more  cau- 
tious in  this  account,  and  if  it  was  not  for  this  reafon, 
I  could  detec^l  the  moft  horrible  things  of  Friars  and 
Nuns  that  ever  were  feen  or  heard  in  the  world  ;  but 
leaving  this  unpleafant  fubjed:,  I  cc  me  to  fay  fome- 
thing  of  the  piofit  the  Priefts  and  Frtars  get  by  their 
irreligious  prayers,  and  by  what  means  they  recom- 
mend them  CO  the  laity. 

The  profits  Priefts  and  Friars  get  by  their  prayers, 
are  not  fo  great  as  that  they  get  bv  abfe)lution  and 
MafTes  :  For  it  is  by  an  accident,  if  fometimes  they 
are  defired  to  pray  for  money.  There  is  a  cufi  )m, 
that  if  one  in  a  family  is  fick,  the  head  of  the  family 
fenrs  immediately  to  (ome  devout,  religious  Friar  or 
Nun  to  pray  for  the  fick,  io,  by  this  cuft  )m,  not  ail 
Priefts  and  Friars  are  employed^  but  only  thofe  thac 
are  known  to  live  a  regular  life.  But  becatiie  the  people 

are 


tSz  'A    MASTER-KEY 

are  very  much  miftaken  in  this,  I  crave  leave  to  explain 
the  nature  of  thofe  whom  the  people  believe  religious 
Friars,  or  in  SpaniJJj,  Gazmonnos.  In  every  convent 
there  arc  eight  or  ten  of  there  Gazmonnos^  or  devout 
men,  who,  at  the  examination  for  Confeflors  and 
preachers,  were  found  quite  incapabk  of  the  perform- 
ance of  the  great  duties,  and  fo  were  not  approved  by 
the  examiners  of  the  convent.  And  though  they 
fcarccly  undcrftand  Latin^  they  are  permitted  to  lay 
Mafs,  that  by  that  means  the  convent  might  not  be  at 
any  expence  v/ith  them.  Thefe  poor  idiots,  being  not 
able  to  get  any  thing  by  felling  abfolutions,  nor  by 
preaching,  undertake  the  life  of  a  Gazmonnos^  and  live 
a  mighty  retired  life,  keeping  themfelves  in  their  cells, 
or  chambers,  and  not  converging  with  the  reft  of  the 
community:  So  their  brethren  Gazmonnos  v\^Vi\\itVL\^ 
and  among  themfelves,  there  is  nothing  fpared  for 
their  diverfion,  and  the  carrying  on  their  private  de- 
figns. 

When  they  go  out  of  the  convent,  it  muft  be  with 
one  of  the  fame  farandula^  or  trade  :  Thtir  faces  look 
pale  ;  their  eyes  are  fixed  on  the  ground,  their  difcourfe 
all  of  heavenly  things,  their  vifits  in  public,  and  their 
meat  and  drink  but  very  little  before  the  world, 
though  in  great  abundance  between  themfelves,  or,  as 
thty  hy^  Inter  privates  par ietes.  By  this  mortifying 
appearance,  the  people  believe  them  to  be  godly  men, 
and  in  fuch  a  cafe  as  ficknefs,  they  rather  lend  to  one 
of  thefe  to  pray  for  the  fick,  than  to  other  Friars  of 
Icfs  public  fame.  But  thofe  hypocrites,  after  the  ap- 
prenticefhip  of  this  trade  is  over,  are  very  expert  in  it, 
for  if  any  body  fends  for  one  ot  them,  either  without 
money,  or  fome  fubftantial  prefent,  they  fay  that  they 
cannot  go,  for  they  have  fo  many  fick  perfons  to  vifit 
and  pray  for,  that  it  is  impofllble  for  them  to  fpare 
anytime.  But  if  money  or  a  prefent  is  fenc  to  hirii> 
he  is  ready  to  s;o  and  pray  every  where.  <*}:■ , . 

So  thefe  ignorant,  hypocritical  Friars   are  alwiys 

followed 


to    P  O  P  E  R  r.  263 

followed  by  the  ignorant  people,  who  fnrnifh  them 
with  money  and  prefents  for  the  fake  of  their  prayers, 
and  they  live  more  comfortably  than  many  rich  people, 
and  have  100  piftoles  in  their  pockets,  oftener  than 
many  ot-the  laity  who  have  good  cftates. 

Some  people  will  be  apt  to  blame  me  for  giving  fo 
bad  a  charadlcr  of  thofe  devout  men  in  appearance, 
when  I  cannot  be  a  judge  of  their  hearts :  But  I  do 
anfwer,  that  I  do  not  judge  thus  of  all  of  them,  but 
only  of  thofe  that  I  knew  to  be  great  hypocrites  and 
finners ;  for  i  faw  fcven  of  them  taken  up  by  theln- 
quificors,  and  I  ?vas  at  their  public  trial,  as  I  have  given 
an  account  in  the  former  chapter  :  So,  by  thofe  feven, 
we  may  give  a  near  gucfs  of  the  others,  and  fay,  thaC 
their  outward  mortifying  appearance  is  only  a  cloak  of 
their  private  dcfigns. 

There  arc  fome  Nuns  likewife, who  follow  the  fame 
trade  as  I  have  given  one  inftance  in  the  chapter  of  the 
InqLiifitlon  :  And  though  the  ignorant  people  fee  every 
day  fome  of  thok  G a zmonnos  taken  up  by  the  Inquifl- 
tors,  they  are  fo  blinded,  that  they  always  look  for  one 
of  them  to  pray.  Theie  hypocrites  do  perfwade  the 
heads  of  families,  that  they  are  obliged  in  conlcience 
to  mind  their  own  bufinefs,  rather  than  to  pray,  and  that 
the  providence  of  God  has  ordered  every  thing  for 
the  bed  for  his  creatures,  and  that  he  (forefeeing  that 
the  heads  of  families  would  have  no  time  to  fpare  for 
prayers)  has  chofen  fuch  religious  men  to  pray  for 
them,  fo  they  are  well  recompenfed  for  their  prayers, 
and  God  only  knoweth  whether  they  pray  or  not* 
Moil  commonly,  when  they  are  wanted,  they  are  at 
the  club,  with  their  brethren  Gazmonnos^  eating  and 
drinking,  afterwards  painting  their  faces  with  fome  yel- 
low drug,  to  make  thcmfelvcs  look  pale  and  mortified, 
O  good  God  !  How  great  is  thy  patience  in  tolerating 
fuch  wicked  men  ? 

Befides   thefe  monaftical   perfons^    there  are  many 
blind  people,  who  can  repeat  fome  prayers  to  faints  by 

hearty 


fe64        ^^    MASTER-KET 

heart,  and  get  money  for  them.  They  walk  the  ftreetS 
day  and  night,  and  they  carry  a  lanthorn  by  night,  noc 
to  fee  with,  but  to  be  fcen  by  others.  The  people  call 
them,  and  give  a  penny  for  faying  the  prayer  of  fuch  ^ 
faint,  and  this  way  they  make  their  lives  very  merry  and 
cafy. 

As  to  the  means  the  Priefts  and  Friars  make  ufe  of, 
and  the  doctrines  they  preach  to  recommend  this  exer- 
cife  of  praying  to  the  people,  I  can  give  but  one  inftance 
of  them  as  matter  of  fa<5l,  for  I  was  the  author  of  it.  Be- 
ing defired  to  preach  upon  the  fubjed  of  prayer,  by  the 
Mother  Abbefs  of  the  Nuns  of  St.  Clara^  who  had  told 
me  in  private,  that  many  of  her  Nuns  did  negledl  their 
prayers,  and  were  moft  commonly  at  the  grate  with 
their  Devotoes,  and  tHe  good  mother,  out  of  pure  z^l, 
told  me,  that  fuch  Nuns  were  the  Devils  of  the  monafte- 
ry  ;  fo  to  oblige  her,  I  went  to  preach,  and  took  my 
text  out  of  the  gofpel  of  St.  Matthew.  Chap.  xvii.  v. 
2  1.  Howbeit  this  kind  goetb  not  out  but  by  prayer  and 
fallings  but  in  our  vulgar,  the  text  is  thus,  Howbeit  this 
kind  of  Devils,  &c.  And  after  I  had  explained  the  text, 
confining  myfelf  wholly  to  the  learned  Siheira's  com- 
mentaries, I  did  endeavour  to  prove,  that  the  perfons 
devoted  to  God  by  a  public  proftfTion  of  monafticai 
life,  were  bound  in  confcience  to  pray  without  cea- 
fing,  as  St.  Paul  tells  us,  and  that  if  they  ne- 
gledled  this  indifpenfable  duty,  they  were  worfe 
than  Devils  :  And  after  this  propofition,  T  did 
point  out  the  way  and  method  to  tame  fuch  Devils, 
which  was  by  prayer  and  fafting  :  And  laftly,  the  greaE 
obligation  laid  upon  us  by  Jefus  Chrift  and  his  Apof- 
tles,  to  make  ufe  of  this  exercife  of  prayer,  which  I  did 
recommend  as  a  medium  to  attain  the  higheO:  degree  of 
glory  in  Heaven,  and  to  exceed  even  Angels,  Prophets, 
Patriarchs,  Apollles,  and  all  the  Saiats  of  tiie  heavenly 
court. 

1  do  not  intend  to  give  a  copy  of  the  fermon,  but  I 
cannot  pafs  by  the  prootf  I  gave  to  cofifirm  my  propofi- 
tion. 


to    F  O  P  E  RY.  i6s 

tion,  to  (liew  by  it,  the  trifiing  method  of  preaching, 
moil  generally  nled  among  the  Roman- catholic 
preach^^rs. 

The'  hifloriographers  and  'chrdnclogers^  of  St.  Au^ 
guftlne"^  order,'fay,  (faid  I)  tLiac  the  great  Father  An- 
guftine  is  acflually  in  Htraven,  before  the  throne  of  the 
Holy  Trin'cy,  as  a  reward. for  the  unparelleled  zeal  and 
devotion  he  had  on  earth,  for  "that  holy  my  fiery,  &  be- 
caufe  he  [pent  all  his  free  time  on  earth  ib  praying, which 
makes  him  now  in- Heaven  greater  than  all  forts  of  faints. 
They  'i-d.^^  more,  viz.  that  in  the  Heaven  of  the  Holy  Tri- 
nity, there  are  only  the  Father^  the  Son^  the  Holy 
Ghofi^  the  Virgin  Mary,  St.  Jofeph,  and,  the  lall  of  all, 
Sz,  Auguftine.  Thus  Father  Gracia^  mh'is  Santoral^ 
printed  \nZaragofa^\x\  i  yoj^vide  fcrmon  cri'^St.  Auguftine. 

To  thi:,,  I  kaev/  would  be  objeflcd  the  i  ith  verfe.ofv 
t\\t  xi.  chap,  of  St.  Matthew^  Among  them  that  .are  horn 
of  "doomen^  there  hath  not  rifen  a  greater  than  John  the 
BaDtifl,  To  which  I  did  anfwer,  that  there  was  no 
rule  without  an  exception,  and  that  St.  Aiigujline  was 
(excepted  from  it :  And  this  I  proved  by  a  maxim 
received  among  divines,  vi?.  /«/^;2«w  fupremi  e^ccedit 
fuprsmum  infimi^  the  ieali  of  a  fuperior  order  exceeds  the 
grcatell  of  an  inferior.  There  arc  three  Heavens,  as 
Sr.  Paul  fay?,  and,  as  other  expofuors,  three  orders. 
Thev  place  in  the  ftrft  Heaven,  the  three  divine  perfons, 
the  Virgin  Mary^  St.  Jofeph^d^n^Si.  Auguftine -,  in  th^ 
ii^condj  the  fpiritual  intelligences  ;  and-  in  the  third, 
St.  Jehfi  Baptijl,at  the  head  of  all  the  celcflial  army 
of  faints.  Then,  if  St.  Auguftine  is  the  .lad  in  the  hip;h- 
c4l  Heaven,  though  St.  John\%  the  firft  in  the  lowed, 
we  mail  conclude,  by  the  aforementioned  maxim,  that' 
the  great  Father  Augufline  exceeds  in  glory  all  the 
faints  of  the  heavenly  Court,  as  a  due  reward  for  his 
fervent  zeal  in  praying,  while  he^as  here  below  among 
men. 

With  this  indance,  I  did  recommend  the  exercife  of 
prayer  to  the  Nuns",  airuringthem  of  the  fame  reward 

H  h  in 


2S6  'J    M  J  S  T  E  R-K  M  r 

in  Heaven,  if  they  did  imitate  fo  glorious  a  faint :  Naj^ 
I  did  corroborate  this  with  the  hiflorical  account  of 
St.  Augujime^  heart,  in  the  city  of  Pavia^  which  is 
kept  feparate  from  the  body,  which  is  in  thatrown  al- 
fo,  in  a  cryilal  box.  The  chronologers  fay,  that  eve- 
ry year,  on  Trinity  Sunday^  the  heart  is  continually 
moving  within  the  box,  as  if  it  v/as  alive,  and  that 
this  is  i.  teftimony  of  the  great  devotion  of  that  Saint, 
for  the  Trinity,  and  a  proof  that  he  is  before  that  holy 
mrftery,  praifing  continually  the  blcifed  2"mj,  and  fo 
his  heart,by  its  continual  motion  on  that  day,  fhews  the 
great  reward  of  his  foul  in  Heaven. 

The  more  I  remember  this,  and  the  like  nonfenfi- 
cal  proofs  and  methods  of  preaching,  the  more  I  thank 
God  for  his  goodnei5,'in  bringing  me  out  of  that  com- 
munion into  another,  where,  by  application,  I  learn 
how  to  make  ufeof  the  fcripture,  to  the  fpiritual  good 
of  fouls,  and  not  to  amufemcnts,  which  are  prejudicial 
to  our  falvatlon. 

Thus  I  have  given  you  an  account  of  the  public  and 
private  prayers-  of  Priefls,  Friars,  Nuns,  and  Laity  ^ 
of  the  profits  they  have  by  it,  and  of  the  methods  they 
take  to  recommend  this  exercife  of  praying,  to  all 
forts  and  conditions  of  people.  Sure  I  am,  that  after 
a  mature  donfideration  of  their  way  of  praying,  and  of 
that  we  make  ufe  of  in  our  reformed  congregations, 
every  body  may  eafily  know  the  great  difference  be- 
tween them  both,  and  that  the  form  and  prad:ice  of 
prayers  among  Protell'ants,  are  more  agreeable  to  God, 
than  tliofe  of  the  Romijlj  Priefts  and  Friars  can  be^ " 

ARTICLE      IL 

Of  the  ad&ration  cf  Images^ 

THE  adoration  of  imag«  was  commanded  by  fe- 
veral  general   councils,  and  many  Popes,  whofe 
commands  and  decrees  are  obeyed  ^«  articles    of  our 

Chriftiau 


i9    P  0  P  E  R  r. 

Chriflian  faith,  and  every  one  that  breaketh  them,  or^ 
in  bis  outward  practice,  doth  not  conform  to  them,  is 
punifhed  by  the  Inquifitors  as  an  Heretic  ;  therefore 
it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  people,  educated  iii  fuck 
a  belief,  without  any  knowledge,  of  the  fin  of  luch  ido- 
latrous pradices,  do  adore  the  images  of  the  Saints 
with  the  fame,  and  ibmetimes  more  devotion  cf  heart, 
than  they  do  God  Almighty  in  fpirit, 

I  begin,  therefore,  this  article  with  myftlf,  and  my 
own  forgetfulnefs  of  God.  When  I  was  in  the  college 
of  Jefmls,  to  learn  grammar,  the  teachers  v/ere  fo  care^ 
ful  in  recommending  to  their  fcholars  devotion  to  the 
Virgin  Mnry^  of  Pilar,  of  Zaragofa^  that  this  do6lrine, 
by  long  cuilom,  was  fo  deeply  imprefs'd  in  our  hearts, 
that  every  body,  after  the  fchool  was  over,  ufed  to  go 
Co  vifit  the  blcffed  image,  this  bting  a  rule  and  a  law 
for  us  all,  which  was  obferved  v/ith  fo  great  ftridnefs, 
that  if  any  ftudent,  by  accident,  miifed  that  cxercile  gf 
devotion,  he  was  the  next  day  feverely  whipped  for  it. 
For  my  part,  i  can  aver,  that  during  the  three  years 
I  went  to  the  college,  I  nevcF  was  puxiifhed  for  want 
of  devotion  to  the  Virgin.  In  th^  beginning  of  our- 
exercifes,  we  were  bidden  to  write  the  following  words^? 
Dirige  tu  calamum  Virgo  Maria,  mmm  ;  Govern  my 
pen,  O  Virgin  Mary  I  Ajid  this  was  my  conftant  prac- 
tice in  the  beginning  of  all  my  fchoiallical  and  moral 
writings,  for  the  fpace  often  years,  in  vyhich,  1  do  pro- 
tefl  before  my  eternal  Judge,  I  do  not  remember  whe- 
ther I  did  invoke  God,  or  call  on  his  lacred  name  or 
not.  This  I  remember,  that  in  all  my  diflempers  and 
liidden  alili6lions,  my  daily  exclamation  was,  0  Virgin 
del  Pilar  I  Help  me,  O  Virgin  !  &c.  fogreait  was  my 
devotion  to  her,  and  fo  great  my  forgetfulnefs  of  our 
God. and  Saviour  Jefus  Chrift.  And  indeed  a  man 
that  does  not  inquire  i-nto  the  matter,  hath  more  rea- 
fon,  according  to  the  dodrine  tkught  in  thofe  places, 
m  truft'in  the  Virgin  Mary^  than  in  Jefus  Chrift  :  For 
iktk  are  common  exprelFions  in  their  fermons  :  '^hat 

neither 


«G8  A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  T 

neither  Gody  mr  J  ejus  Chrifi  can  do  any  thivg  in  HeaviH^ 
but  what  is  approved  hy  the  .bleffcd  Mary,  that  jhe  is  the 
door  of  glory  ^  and  that  nobody  can  enter  int^  it^  but  by 
her  influence,  &c.  And  the  preachers  give  out  thcfc 
propofitions  as  principles  of  our  faith,  infomuch, 
that  it  any  body  dares  to  believe  the  contrary,  he  is  re-, 
puted  an  Heretic,  and  punifhcd  as  fuch. 

But  becaufe  this  article  requireth  a  full  examina- 
tion, and  an  account  $o  be  given  of  the  fnFialleil  cir- 
cumftanccs  belonQ^ino;  to  it,  I  lliall  keep  the  clais  and 
order  of  SaintP,  and  of  the  adoration  they  are  v/orfhip- 
ped  with,  by  mofl  people  in  the  Roman- catholic  coun- 
tries. And  firfl  of  all,  .the  image  of  Jelus  Chrifi  is 
adored  as  if  the  very  image  of  wood  was  the  very 
Chrifi:  of  flefh  and  bones..  To  clear  this,  I  will  give 
an  inflance  or  two  of  what  I  favv  m}feif. 

In  the  cathedrp.l  church  of  St.  Salvator,  there  v/as  an 
old  image  of  Jefiis  Chrift,  crucified,  behind  the  choir, 
in-a  fmail  unminded  chapel ;  nobody  took  notice  of 
that  crucifix,  except  a  devout  Prebend,  or  canon  of  the 
church,  who  did  ufe  every  day  to  kneel  down  before 
that  image,  and  pray  heartily  to  it.  The  Prebend 
(though  a  religious  man  in  th^  outward  appearance) 
was  ambitious  in  his  heart  of  advahcenicnt  in  the 
church  ',  fo,  one  day,  as  he  was  on  his  knees  before  the 
old  image,  he  wa^  begging  that,  by  its  po\ver  and  in- 
fluence, he  might  be  made  a  Bi  111  op,  &  after  a  Cardinal, 
and  lallly.  Pope  ;  to  which  earneit  requell  the  image 
gave  him  this  anfwer,  Et  tn  que  me  ves  a  qui^  que  hazes 
pormi  ?  i.  e.  And  thou  fee  ft  me  here^  'what  do  you  do  for 
me  F  Thefc  very  words  are  written,  at  this  prefent  day, in 
2:ilt  letters;  upon  the  crown  of  thorns  of  the  cru<i:ifix  : 
To  which  the  Prebend  anfwered,  Bomine  peccavi^  <^ 
malum  coram  tefeci^  i.  e.  Lord  I  have  Jinned^  and  dr^ne 
evil  before  thee.  To  this  humble  rcqueft,  the  imi^ge 
faid,  Thdu/Jjalt  be  a  5//^j^^^,&  accordingly  he  was  made 
a  Bifhop  foon  after.  Thcfc  words,  fpoken  by  ttie  cru- 
cifix of  the  cathedral  church,  madp  fuch  a  noife,  that 

crowds 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  2^9 

crowds  of  well  difpofed,  credulous  peopleufed  to  come 
every  day  to  offer  their  gifts  to  the  miraculous  image 
of  our  Saviour,  and  the  image,  which  was  not  minded 
at  all  before,  after  it  fpoke,  was^  and  has  been  ever 
fmce,  fo  much  reverenced,  that  the  offerings  of  the  firfl 
fix  )ears  were  reckoned  worth  near  a  million  of 
crowns.  The  hiftoryofthc  miracle  reports,  that  the 
thing  did  happen  in  the  year  1562,  and  that  the  chap- 
ter did  intend  to  build  a  chapel  in  one  corner  of  the 
.church,  to  put  the  crucifix  in  with  more  veneration  and 
decency,  but  the  image  fpoke  again  to  the  Prebend, 
and  faid.  My  pkajur-e  is  to  continue  where  I  am  till  the 
end  of  the  world  :  So  the  crucifix  is  kept  in  the  fame 
chapel,  but  richly  adorned,  and  nobody  ever  ftnce 
dare  touch  any  thing  belonging  to  the  image,  for  fear 
of  difobliging  the  crucifix,  it  has  an  old  wig  on  its 
head,  the  very  fight  of  which  is  enough  to  make  every 
one  laugh ;  its  face  looks  fo  black  ^  disfigured,  that  no 
body  can  guefs  whether  it  is  the  face  of  a  man  or  a 
woman,  but  every  body  believes  that  it  is  a  crucifix, 
by  the  other  circumfiianccs  of  the  Crofs,  and  crown  of 
thorns. 

This  image  is  fo  much  adored,  and  believed  to  have 
fuch  a  power  of  working  miracles,  that  if  they  ever 
carry  it  out  in  a  proceffiori,  it  muil  be  on  an  urgent  ne- 
cefiity  :  For  example,  if  there  is  want  of  rain  in  fuch  a 
degree  that  the  harveil  is  almoit  ioli,  then,  by  the  com- 
mon  confentof  the  Archbifhop  and  chapter,  a  day  is 
fixed  to  take  the  crucifix  out  of  its  chapel  in  a  pu- 
bhc  proceflion,  at  which  all  the  Prieds  and  Friars  are 
to  aliill  without  any  excufe,  and  the  devout  people  too, 
with  marks  of  repentance,  and.  public  penances.  Like- 
v^ife  the  ArchbiCaop,  Viceroy,  and  magiftrates,  oughc 
to  afiiil  in  robes  of  mourning;  U:t  when  the  day  come*', 
which  is  moft  commonly  very  cloudy,  and  difpofed  to 
rain,  all  the  communities  meet  toy^ether  in  the  cathe- 
dral church  :  And  in  the  year  1706,  I  faw,  upon  fuch 
an  occafion  as  this,  600  difciplinants,  whofe  blood  run 
'^  from 


iyo  "AMJSTER'KET 

from  their  fhoulders  to.tl^e  ground,  many  others  witK 
long  heavy  CrofTes,  others  with  a  heavy  bar  of  iron,  qr^ 
chains  of  the  fame,  hanging  at  their  necks  j  with  fuch 
difmal  objs6ls  in  the  middle  of  the  proccfrit)n,  iz 
Priefls  d reft  in  black  ornaments,  taking  the  crucifix^ 
on  their  (lioulders,  and  with  great  veneration  carry  it 
through   the  flreets,   th€  eunuchs  finging  the  Litany. 

1  faid,  that  this  image  is  never  carried  out  but 
when  there  is  great  want  of  rain,  and  when  there  is 
fure  appearance  of  plenteous  rain  ;  fo  they  never  are 
difappointed  in  having  a  miracle  publifhed  after  fuch 
aproceffion  :  Nay^  fometimes  it  begins  to  rain  before 
the  crucifix  is  out  of  his  plac«,  and  then  the  people  are 
almoft  certain  of  the  power  of  the  image  :  So  that 
year  the  chapter  is  fure  to  receive  double  tithes  :  For 
every  body  vows  an(J  promifes  two  out  often  to  the 
church  for  the  recovery  of  the  harveft. 

But  what  is  more  than  this,  4s,  that  in  the  laft  wars 
between  King  PMI^p  and  King  Charles^  as  the  people 
were  divided  into  two  fadlions,  they  did  give  out  by  a 
revelation  of  an  ignorant,  filly  Beata^  that  the  crucifix 
v^'as  a  Butiflero^  i.  e.  affedionate  to  King  Philips  and  at 
the  fame  time  there  was  another  revelation,  that  his 
mother,  the  Virgin  of  Pilar^  was  an  ImperiaUJlji.  e.  for 
King  Charles  ^  and  the  minds  of  the  people  were  fo 
much  prejudiced  with  their  opinions,  that  the  parti- 
zans  of  Phiiip  did  go  to  the  crucifix,  and  thofe  ot  King 
Chdvks  to  tht;  Virein  of  Pilar,  Sono;s  were  made  upon 
this  fubjed  :  One  faid,  When  Charles  the  Third  mounts 
t^n  his  Horfe^  the  Virgin  of  Pilar  holds  the  Stirrup, 
The  other  faid,  When  ?\\n\\>  comes  to  cur  Land^  the 
Crucifix  of  St.  Salvator.  guides  him  by  his  Hand.  By 
thele  iwo  faciions,  both  the  Virgin  and  her  Ion's  image 
began  to  Icle  the  prefents  ot  one  of  the  parties,  and  the 
chapter,  having  made  a  bitter  complaint  to  the  Inqui- 
fitors,  thcfe  did  put  a  flop  to  their  facrilegicus  prac- 
tices •,  fo  high  is  the  people's  opinion  of  the  image  of 
the  crucifix,  and  fo  blind  their  faith,  that  all  the  world 

would 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  27f 

would  not  be  able  to  perfuade  them  that  that  image  did* 
not  fpeak  to  the  canon,  or  prebendary,  and  that  it  can- 
not work  miracles  at  any  time.  Therefore  our  cuftom 
-was,  after  ichool,  to  go  firll  to  vifit  the  crucifix,  touch 
its  feet  with  our  hands,  and  kifs  it,  and  from  thence 
go  to  vifit  the  image  of  the  Virgin  of  P/7^r,  of  which  i 
am  going  to  fpeak,  as  the  next  image  to  that  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  though, in  truth,  the  firll  as  to  the  people's  de- 
votion. 

And  becaufc  the  flory,  or  the  hillory  of  the  image^ 
is  not  well  known,  at  leaft,  I  never  faw  any  foreign 
book  treat  of  it,  it  feems  proper  to  give  a  fnll  account 
of  it  here,  to  fatisfy  the  curiofity  of  many  that  love  to 
read"  and  hear  new  things,  and  this  I  think  is  worth  c- 
very  body's  obiervation. 

The  book,  call'd  The  Hijlcry  of  cur  Lady  of  Piiar^ 
and  her  Miracles,  contains,  to  the  befl  of  my  memory, 
the  following  account :  The  Apoflle  St.  James  came, 
with  fcven  new  converts,  to  preach  the  gofpel  in  Za- 
ragofa  (a  city  famous  for  antiquity,  and  for  its  found- 
tr^C^far  Auguftus  ;  but  more  fainous  for  the  heavenly 
image  of  our  Lady)  ajid  as  they  were  fleeping  on  the 
river  Ehro\  fide,  a  celeftial  mufic  awakened  them  at 
midnight,  and  they  faw  an  army  of  Angels,  melodiouf- 
iy  finging,  come  down  frorn  heaven,  with  an  image  on 
a  pillar,  which  they  placed  on  the  ground,  forty  yards 
diftant  from  the  river,  and  the  commanding  Angel 
fpoke  to  St.  James^  and  faid,  This  image  of  our  Queen 
MiaU  be  the  defence  of  this  city,  where  you  come  to 
plant  the  Chriftian  religion  ;  take  therefore  good  cou- 
rage, for,  by  her  help  and  alTiftance,  you  fhall  not  leave 
this  city  without  reducing  all  the  inhabitants  in  it  to 
your  Mailer's  religion  •,  a^id  as  fhe  is  to  protect  you, 
you  alfo  muft  fignalize  yourfelf  in  building  a  decent 
chapel  for  her.  The  Angels  leaving  the  image  on  the 
earth,  with  the  fame  melody  and  iongs,  went  up  to 
Heaven,  and  St,  JameSy  with  his  fcven  converts,  on 
iheir  knees,  began  to  pray,  and  thank  God  for  this  fn- 

cllimable 


272  A    M  A  S  T  E,  R'  K  E  T 

cfiimable  treafure  fent  to  them  ;  and  the  next  day  they 
began  to  build  a  chapel  with  their  own  hand?,  1  have 
already  given  an  account  of  the  chapd,  and  the  riches 
of  ir,  now  I  ought  to  fay  fomething  ol  the  idolatrous 
adoration  given  to  that  image,  by  all  the  Roman-ca- 
tholics of  that  kingdom,  and  of  all  that  go  to  vifit 
her. 

This  image  has  ker  own   chaplain,  befides  the  chap- 
ter of  the  prebends  and  other  Priefts,  as  I  have  told 
before.    The  Virgin's  chaplain  has  more  privilege  and 
power  than  any  King,  Archbifhop,  or  any  eclefiafticai 
perfon,  excepting  the  Pope  ^  for  his  bufinefs  -is  only  to 
drefs  the  image  every  morning,  which  he  doih  in  pri- 
vate, and  without  any  help  :  {  fay  in  private,  that  is, 
drawing  the  four  courtains  of  the  Virgin*s  canopy,  that 
nobody  may  fee  the  image  naked.     Nobody  has  liber- 
ty, but  this  chaplain,  to  approach  fo  near  the  image,  for, 
as- the  author,  of  the  book  fays.  An  ArchUJhcp  (wba  had 
rfo  \rcat  affiirance  as  to  attmipt  to  fay  Mafs  en  the  altar 
table   oj  the  Virgin)  iiiedupon  the  fpot^  before  he  began 
Mafs. , I  faw  King  Philip  sind  King  Charles,  when  they 
went  to  vifit    the  image,   iland  at  a  diilance  from  it. 
With  thefe  cautions  it  is  very  eaify  to  give  out,  that  no 
body  can  know  of  what  matter  the    image  is  made, 
that  being  a  thing  referred  to  the  Angels  only  :  So  all 
the  favour  the  Chriilians  can  obtain  from  the  Virgin, 
is  only  tokifs  her  Pillar,  for  it  is  contrived,  that  by  hav- 
iiisg  broke  the  wallbackv/ards,a  piece  of  pillar  as  big  as 
tv?o  crown  pieces  is  fl"iewn,which  is  (ct  out  in  gold  round 
about,  and  there  Kings,  and  other  people,  knfel  down 
to  adore  and  kifs  that  part  of,  the  flone."  '  The  ftones 
and  lime  that  were  taken,  when  the  wall  was  broke, 
are  kept  for  relics,  and  it  is  a  fingular  favour,  if  any 
can  get   fome  fmall  ftone,    paying  a   great   fum  of 
money. 

There  is  always  fo  great  a  crowd  of  people,  th?,t  ma- 
ny times  they  cannot  kifs  the  pillar  ;  but  touch  it  with 
one  of  their  fingers,  and  kifs  afterwards  the  part  ^  bf 

the 


it>    P  0  P  E  R  r.  «;^ 

the  finger  that  did  touch  the  pillar.  The  large  cha- 
pel of  the  lamp  is  always,  night  &  day.  crowded  with 
people  ;  for,  as  they  fay,  that  chapel  was  never  emp-. 
ty  of  Chriftians,  fince  St.  James  bulk  it  ;  fo  the  peo-^ 
pie  of  the  city,  that  work  all  day,  go  out  at  night  to 
vifit  the  image,  and  this  blind  devotion  is  not  only 
among  pious  people,  but  among  the  moil  profligate  6c 
debauched  too,  infomuch,  that  a  lewd  woman  will 
not  go  to  bed  without  vifiting  the  image ;  for  they 
certainly  believe,  that  no  body  can  be  faved,  if  they 
do  not  pay  this  tribute  of  devotion  to  the  facred 
image. 

And  to  prove  this  erroneous  belief ;  the  chaplain,' 
who  dreflcs  the  image  (as  he  is  reckoned  to  be  a  hea-^ 
vcniy  man)  may  eafily  give  out  what  ft  )ries  he  pleafes, 
and  make  the  people  believe  any  revelation  from  the 
Virgin  to  him,  as  many  of  them  arc  written  in  the 
book  of  the  Virgin  of  Pilar^  viz.  Dr.  Auguffine  Rami^ 
rez^  chaplain  to  the  image,  in  1542,  as  he  was  dreifm^ 
it,  it  talked  with  him  for  half  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and 
faid,  My  faithful  and  weU  beloved  Augujline^  I  am  ve- 
ry angry  with  the  inhabitants  of  this  my  city  for  their 
ingratitude.  Now,  I  tell  you  as  my  own  chaplairlV 
that  it  is  my  will,  and  I  do  command  you  to  puolifh 
it,  and  fay  the  following  words,  which  is  my  fpeech 
to  all  the  people  of  Zaragofa  :  Ungrateful  people^ 
remember,  that  after  my  fon  died  for  the  redemption 
of  the  world,  but  more  efpecially  for  you  the  inhabit 
tants  of  this  my  cholen  city,  I  was  pleafed,  two  years 
after  I  went  up  to  Heaven,  in  body  and  foul,  to  pitch 
upon  this  feledl  city  for  my  dwelling  place  ;  there- 
fore I  commanded  the  Angels  to  make  an  image  per-* 
fedtly  like  my  body,  and  another  of  my  fon  Jeius,  on 
rny  arms,  aid  to  fet  them  both  on  a  pillar,  whofe  mat- 
ter nobody  can  know,  and  when  both  were  finifhed, 
I  ordered  them  to  be  carried  in  a  proceiHon,  round  a-* 
bout  the  Heavens,  by  the  principal  Angels,  the  hea-» 
venly  Hoft  followingj  and  after  them  the  Trinity,  who 

I  i 


^y4        /t    M  J  S  r  E  R'K  E  T 

took  me  in  the  middle,  and  when  this  proccfHon  was 
over  in  Heaven,  I  fcnt  them  down  with  illuminations 
and  mufic  to  awake  my  beloved  James,  who  was  a- 
fleep  on  the  river  fide,  commanding  him,  by  my  am- 
baffador  Gabriel,  to  build,  with  his  own  hands,  a  cha- 
pel for  my  image,  which  I  did  accordingly,  and  ever 
fence  I  have  been  the  defence  of  this  city,  againft  the 
Saracen  army,  when,  by  my  mighty  power,  I  killed,  in 
one  night,  at  the  breach,  50,000  of  them,  putting  the 
reft  to  a  precipitate  flight. 

After  this  vifible  miracle  (for  many  faw  me  in  the 
air  fighting)  I  have  delivered  them  from  the  oppref- 
fion  of  the  Moors^  and  preferved  the  faith  and  religion 
iinpolluted  for  many  years,  in  this  my  city.  How 
many  times  have  I  fuccourcd  them  with  rain,  in  time 
©f  need  }  How  many  fick  have  I  healed  ?  How  much 
riches  are  they  maftersofby  my  unlhaken  afFe(5lion  to 
them  all  ?  And  what  is  the  recompence  they  give  me 
for  all  thcfe  benefits  ?  Nothing  but  ingratitude  :  I 
have  been  aihamed,  thefe  15  years,  to  (peak  before 
the  eternal  Father,  who  made  me  Qiiecn  of  this  city  : 
Many  and  many  times  I  am  at  court,  with  the  three 
perfons,  to  give  my  confent  for  pardoning  feveral  fin- 
ners,  and  when  the  Father  afketh  me  about  my  city,  I 
am  fo  bafhful  that  I  cannot  lift  up  my  eyes  to  him. 
He  knoweth  very  well  their  ingratitude,  and  blameth 
me  for  fufFerina^  fo  long  their  covetoufnefs  :  And  this 
very  morning, being  called  to  the  council  ot  the  Trinity^ 
for  pafiing  the  divine  decree,under  our  hands  and  feal, 
for  the  Bifhoprick  oi Zaragefa,  the  Holy  Spirit  has  af- 
fronted me,  faying,  I  was  not  worthy  to  be  of  the  pri- 
vate council  in  Heaven,  becaufe  I  did  not  know  how 
to  govern  and  punifh  the  criminals  of  my  chofen  city, 
and  I  have  vowed  not  to  go  again  to  the  heavenly  court 
till  I  get  fatisfa6tion  from  my  offenders :  So  I  do  thun- 
der out  this  fentence,  againft  the  inhabitants  of  Zara-' 
g^fa,  that  I  have  refolvcd  to  take  away  my  image  from 
them,  and  refign  my  government  to  Lucifer^  if  they  do 

not 


u    P  0  P  E  R  r.  275 

not  come,  for  the  fpace  of  15  days,  every  day  with 
gifts,  tears,  and  penances,  to  make  due  fubmiffion  to 
my  image,  for  the  faults  committed  by  them  thefe  15 
years  :  And  if  they  come  with  prodigal  hands,  and 
true  hearts,  to  appeafe  my  wrath,  which  I  am  pleafed 
with,  they  Ihall  fee  the  rain-bow  for  a  fignal,  that  I 
do  receive  them  again  into  my  favour.  But,  if  not,  they 
mnay  be  fure  that  the  Prince  of  Darknefs  fhall  come 
to  rule  and  reign  over  them  ;  and  further,  I  do  de- 
clare, that  they  fhall  have  no  appeal,  from  this  my 
fentence,  to  the  tribunal  of  the  Father  ;  for  this  is  my 
will  and  pleafure. 

Thefe  arc  the  words  of  the  revelation  (I  mean)  this 
is   the  fubftance  of  it ;  for,   perhaps,  I  leave  out  ma- 
ny words,  and  add  many  others,  to  give  fenfe   to   the 
Engliih :  But  as  to  the  fubftance  I  am  not  miftaken, 
as   may  be  found  in  the  Virgin's  book,  publifhed  by 
authority  and  leave  of  the  Inquifitors,  in  1688,  in  Za^ 
ragofa^  by  Peter  Dormer.     I  had  the  book,  which,  for 
my  txtraordinary  devotion    to   the  Virgin,  1  ufed  to 
read  every  day,  and  I  may  give  a  full  account  of  it 
better  than  of  the    bible,  having  read    it  fix  or  eight 
times  every  year.    But  I  do  not  defign  to  give  a  tranf- 
lation  of  it  now,  nor  to  be  tedious  upon  one  fubjedl  j 
therefore  I  only  fay,  that  after  this  revelation  was  pu- 
blifhfd,  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  were  under  fuch 
a  concern,  that  the  magiftrates,  by  the  Archbifhop's 
order,  did  publifh  an  ordinance  for  all  forts  of  people 
to  faft  three  days  every  week,  and  not  to  let  the  cattle 
go  out  thofe  days,  and  to  make  the  cattle  fafl,  as  well 
as  the  reafonable  creatures  •,  and  as  for  the  infants,  not 
to  fuckle  them  but  once  a   day.     All  forts  of  work 
were  forbidden  for  fifteen  days  time,  in  which  the  peo- 
ple went  to  confefs  and   make   public    penances,  and 
offer  v/hatever  money  and  rich  jewels  they  had,  to  the 
Virgin. 

Obferve  now,  that  this  publifhing  of  the  revelation 
was  in  the  month  of  iV/^j,  andicis  a  cuftomary  thing 

for 


itye  ^A    M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E  Y 

for  that  coantry  to  fee  almoft  every  day  the  rainbow  at 
that  time  :  So  there  was,   by  all   probability,    certain 
hopes  that  the  rain  bow  would  not  tail  to  fliew    its 
many  coloured  faces  to  the  inhabitants  of  Zaragofa,  as 
did   happen  the  eleventh  day,   but  it  was  too  lare  for 
them,  for  they  had  bellowed  all  their  treafures  on  tl:»« 
image  of  the  Virgin.     Then  the  rejoicings  began,  and 
the  people  were  almoft  mad  for  joy,  reckoning  them- 
felves  the  mod  happy,  bkfTed  people  in  the   univerfe. 
Then  they  vow'd  folemnly  to  build  her  the  laroeft  and 
mofl  capacious  church  in  the  world  ;  but  their  want 
of  money  did  hinder  the  beginning  of  it  ft;r  ten  years. 
Xhtn   the  magiitrates  (thinking  that  the  wealth  of  the 
city  was  fufficient  to  begin  the  temple)  beftowed  50000 
piftoles  for   the  laying  the  foundations  of  it.     A  fub- 
fcription  vv'as  made  among  the  private  perfons,  which 
did  amount  to   150060   piftoks  ;  and   Don  Francifco 
Ihanmz  de  la  Rivade  Herrera,  then  Archb  fhopof  Z^?- 
ragofay  and   afterwards  of  "Toledo,  and  general  Inquifi- 
tor,  commanded  all  the  people,  ecclefiaflical  and  iecu- 
lar,  to  go  on  Sundays,  and  holy  days  in  the  afternoon, 
and  carry  materials  for  the  work  of  the  week   follow- 
ing.    I  went  myfelf  many  holy  days  and  Sundays,  and 
I  faw  his  Grace,  and  all  his  family,  with  bafkets,  car- 
rying ftoncs  from  the   river  to  the  open  foundations, 
^nd,  by   his   example,   gentlemen  and  ladies,  old  and 
young,  Pricfls  and  Friars,  were  excited  to  do  the  fame, 
till  the  firft  fbone  of  the  foundation  was   laid  by    his 
Grace,  drt^  m  his  pontifical  ;  and  after  that,  giving 
his   blefiing  to  the    building,  he  recommended  the  fi- 
iiifxiing  of  It  to  the  people's  care.     They   are  at  work 
ever  fmce  every  day,  and  in  14  years,  fince  the  founda- 
tion of  the  temple,  there  is  yet  but  the  third  part  buik 
^Pj  ^y  500  workmen  conftantiy  at  it,  and    I    believe 
that  if  ever  it  is  finifhed,  it  will  be  twice  bigger  and 
larger  than  St.  PauFs  church  in  Lonaon.    So  great  and 
blind  is  the   bigotry  and  devotion  of  that  people  for 
the  Virgin  of  Pilar, 

By 


to    F  0  P  E  R  r.  277 

By  thefe  and  the  like  revelations,  given  out  every- 
day by  the  Virgin's  chaplain,  the  people  are  fo  much 
infatuated,  that  they  certainly  believe  there  is  no  ialva- 
tion  for  any  foul  without  the  con  Tent  of  the  Virgin  of 
Pilar^  fo  they  never  fail  co  vifit  her  image  every  day, 
and  pay  her  due  homai^e,  for  tear  that  it  fhe  is  angry 
again,  Lucifer  fhould  come  to  reign  over  them  :  And 
this  is  done  by  the  Virgin's  crafty  chaplain,  to  incrcafe 
her  trealure  and  his  own  too.  As  to  him,  I  may  aver, 
that  the  late  chaplain,  Don  Pedro  Valanzuela  was  but 
fix  years  in  the  Virgin's  fervice  -,  yearly  rent  is  1000 
piftoles,  and  when  he  died,  he  left,  in  his  tcftament, 
20000  piftoles  to  the  Virgin,  and  loooo  to  his  relati- 
ons i  now,  how  he  got  3COOO  piftoles  clear  in  fix  years, 
every  body  may  imagine. 

As  to  the  miracles  wrought  by  this  image,  I 
could  begin  to  give  an  account,  but  never  make  an 
end  ;  and  this  fuijcdt  requiring  a  whole  book  toitfelf, 
I  will  not  trouble  the  reader  with  it,  hoping  in  God, 
that  if  he  is  plealed  to  fpare  my  life  fome  years,  I  fhall 
print  a  book  of  their  miracles  and  revelations,  that  the 
world  may,  by  it,  know  the  inconfiftent  grounds  and 
reafons  of  the  Romijh  communion. 

Now,  coming  again    to  the   adoration  of  iraages, 
I  cannot  pafs    by  one  or  two   inftances  more  of  the 
Jmage    of  Jelus  Chrift,   adored    by    the  Ron^an-ca- 
tholics. 

The  fi^ft  is  that  of  the  crucifix  in  the  monument, 
both  on  Jhurfda^  and  Friday  of  the  holy  week.  The 
Roman  catholics  have  a  cuftom  on  holy  Thurfday,  to 
put  the  coniecrated  Hoft  in  the  monument,  till  Friday 
morning,  at  eleven  of  the  clock,  as  I  have  already  laid, 
treating  of  the  eftation  of  the  holy  Calvary. 

Now  I  will  confine  myfelf  wholly  to  the  adoration 
paid  to  the  crucifix,  and  all  the  material  inftruments 
ef  our  Saviour's  paflion,  by  Priefts,  Friars,  and  magi^"- 
trates.  In  ev#iy  panlh  church  and  convent  of  Friars 
and  Nuns,  the  Pnefts  form  a  monument,  whic-h  is  of 

the 


«78  "A    M  A  S  r  E  R'-K  E  r 

the  breadth  of  the  great  altar's  front,  confifting  of  lo 
or  1 2  fteps,  that  go  gradually  up  to  the  Ara^  or  altar's 
table,  on  which  lies  a  box,  gilt,  and  adorned  with  jew- 
els, wherein  they  keep,  for  24  hotJrs,   the  great  Hoft, 
which  the   Prieft,  that  officiates,  has  conlecrated  on 
^hurfday^  between  eleven  and  twelve.     In  this  monu- 
ment, you  may  fee  as  many  wax-candles  as  parifhion- 
crs  belonging  to  that  church,  and  which  burn  24  hours 
continually.     At  the  bottom  of  the  monument  there 
is  a  crucifix  laid  down  on  a  black  velvet  pillow,  and 
two  filver  difhes  on  each  fide.     At  three  of  the  clock, 
in  the  afternoon,  there  is  a  fcrmon  preached  by  the 
Lent  preachers,  whofe  conftant   text  is,  Mandatum  no-* 
njum  du  vohiSj  ut  diligatis  invicem,  Sicut  dilexi  vos,    Ex- 
prefTing  in  it,  the  excelTive  loveof  our  Saviour  towards 
us.     After  it,  the  Prelate  wafheth  the  feet  of  12  poor 
people,  and  all  this  while  the  people  that  go  from  one 
church  to  another,  to  vifit  the  monuments,  kneel  down 
before  the  crucifix,  kifs  it's  feet,  and  put  a  piece  of  mo- 
ney into  one  of  the  difhi^s      The  next  day,  in  the  morn- 
ing, there  is  another  iermon,  of  the  pafllon  of  our  Sa- 
viour, wherein  the  preacher  recommendeth  the  adora- 
tion of  the   Crofs  according  to   the  folemn   ceremo- 
ny of  the  church.     That  day,  /.  e.  Good  Friday^  there 
is  no  Mafs  in  the  Romijh  church,  for  the  Hoft,  which 
■was  confecrated  the  day  before,  is  received  by  the  Mi- 
nifter,  or  Prelate,  that  officiates,  and  when  the  p^iffion 
is  fung,  then  the^  begin  the  adoration   of  the  crucifix, 
which  is  at  the  bottom  of  the   monument  •,  which  is 
performed  in  the  following  manner  :  Firft  of  all,  the 
Prieft  that  officiates,  or  the  Bifhop,when  he  is  prefent, 
pulling  off  his  (hoes,  goes,  and  kneels  down  three  times 
before  the  crucifix,  kiffeth   its  feet,   and  in  the   fame 
manner  comes  back  again  to  his  own  place.     AH  the 
Priefts  do  the  fame,  but  without  putting  any  thing  into 
the  diffi,  this  being  only  a  tribute  to  be  paid  by  the 
magiftrates  and  laity.     This  being  done  by  all  the  ma- 
giftrates,  the  Prieft:  biddeth  them  to  come  at  four  in 

the 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  \^§ 

the  afternoon,  to  the  defcent  of  Jefus  Chrift,  fronn  the 
Crofsjand  this  is  another  idolatrous  ceremony  and  ado* 
ration. 

The  fanme  crucifix,  that  was  at  the  bottom  of  the 
monument,  is  put  on  the  great  altar's  table,  veiled  or 
covered  with  two  curtains,  and  when  the  people  are 
gathered  together  in  the  church,  the  chapter,  or  com- 
munity comes  out  of  the  veftry,  and  kneeling  down 
before  the  altar,  begins,  in  a  doleful  manner,  to  fing 
the  pfalm,  Miferere^  and  when  they  come  to  the  verfe, 
^ibi  foli  peccavi^  &c.  they  draw  the  curtains,  and  fhew 
the  image  of  Chrift  crucified  to  the  people.  Then 
the  preacher  goes  up  to  the  pulpit,  to  preach  of  the 
pains  and  afilidlions  of  the  Virgin  Mary  (whofe  image 
Ihedding  tears  is  placed  before  the  image  of  her  fon.) 
I  once  preached  myfelf  upon  this  occafion  in  the  con- 
vent of  St.  Auguftine^  in  the  city  of  Huejca^  and  my 
text  was,  Animam  meam  pertranjivit  gladius.  After 
the  preacher  has  exaggerated  the  unparelleled  pains  of 
the  Virgin  Mary,  feeing  her  fon  fufFer  death,  in  fo  ig- 
nominious a  manner,  he  orders  Satellites  (fo  they  call 
thofe  that  ftand  with  the  nails,  hammer,  and  other  in- 
flruments  ufcd  in  the  crucifixion)  to  go  up  to  the 
Crofs,  and  take  the  crown  of  thorns  o^  the  cru- 
cifix's head,  and  then  he  preacheth  oh  that  adlionj 
reprefcnting  to  the  people  his  fuf^erings  as  mo- 
vingly as  pofTible.  After  the  Satellites  have  taken 
the  nails  out  of  the  hands  and  feet,  they  bring 
down  the  body  of  Jefus,  and  lay  him  in  a  coiFin, 
and  when  the  iermon  is  over,  the  proctflion  be- 
ginneth  all  in  black,  which  is  called  the  burying 
of  Chrift.  In  that  procelTion,  which  is  always 
in  the  dark  of  the  evening,  there  are  vaft  num- 
bers of  difciplinanta  that  go  along  with  it,  whipping 
themfelves,  and  fhedding  their  blood,  till  the  body  of 
Jefus  is  put  into  the  fepulchre.  Then  every  body  goes 
to  adore  the  fepulchre,  &  after  the  adoration  of  it,  be- 
ginncth  the  procclfion  of  the  eftations  of  the  holy  Cal- 
vary, 


28o  ^A    M  A  S  T  E  R^K  E  T 

vary,  of  which  I  have  fpoken  already  in  the  2d  chapter 
of  this  book. 

I  will  notdepriv^e  the  public  of  another  fnperflitious 
ceremony  of  the  Rcmtjh  Priefts,  which  is  very  divert- 
ing, and  by  which  their  ignorance  wil!  be  more  expo- 
fed  to  the  world  ;  and  this  is  pradifcd  on  the  Sunday 
before  Rafter^  which  is  called  t^o'/ninica  Palmarum^  in 
which  the  church  commemorateth  the  triumphant  entry 
of  Jcfus  Chrift  into  Jerufakm.,  fitting  on  an  afs,  the 
people  fpreading  their  clothes  and  branches  of  olive 
trees  on  the  ground  :  So,  in  imitation  of  this  triumph, 
they  do  the  fame  in  fome  churches  and  convents. 

The  circumftance  of  one  being  reprefentative  of  Je- 
fus,  on  an  afs,  I  never  faw  pra«5lifed  in  Zaragofa^  and 
I  was  quite  unacquainted  with  it,  till  I  went  to  Alva- 
late^  a  lown  that  belongs  to  the  Archbifhop  in  tempo- 
ralihus  and  fpiritiialihus^  whither  I  was  obliged  to  retire 
with  his  Grace  in  his  precipitate  flight  from  King 
Charles's  army,  for  fear  of  being  taken  prifoner  of  ftate» 
We  v;ere  there  at  the  Francifcan  convent  on  that  Sun-» 
day,  and  the  Archbifliop  being  invited  to  the  ceremo- 
mony  of  the  religious  triumph,  I  went  with  him  to  fee 
it,  which  was  performed  in  the  tollowing  manner. 

All  the  Friars  being;  in  the  body  of  the  church,  the 
Guardian  placing  his  Grace  at  the  right  hand,  the  pro- 
ceflion  began,  every  Friar  having  a  branch  of  olive- 
trees  in  his  hand, which  was  bleffed  by  the  Rev.  Father 
Guardian ;  fo  the  Crofs  going  before,  the  procclTion 
went  out  of  the  church  to  a  large  yard  before  it :  But, 
O  God  !  What  did  we  fee  at  the  door  of  the  church, 
but  a  fat  Friar,  dreft  as  ^  Nazareen^  on  a  clever  afs, 
two  Friars  holding  the  ftirrups,  and  another  pulling 
the  afs  by  the  bridle.  The  reprefentative  ot  Jefus- 
Chrift  took  place  before  the  Archbifhop.  The  afs  was 
an  he  one,  though  not  fo  fat  as  the  Friar,  but  the  cere- 
mony of  throwing  branches  and  clothes  before  him, 
being  quite  flrange  to  him,  he  began  to  ftart  and  caper,^ 
and  at  iall  threw  down  the  heavy  load  or  the  Friar.—-. 


to    F  O  P  E  RTi  r3i 

The  afs  ran  away,  leaving  the  reverend  on  the  ground, 
with  one  arm  broken.  This  unufual  ceremony  was  fo 
pkalant  to  us  all,  that  his  Grace,  notwithftanding  hi$ 
deep  melancholy,  did  laugh  heartily  at  it.  The  afs 
was  brought  back,  and  another  Friar,  making  the  re- 
prefentacive,  did  put  an  end  to  this  ais-like  ceremony. 

But  the  ignorance  and  fuperflition  bcginneth  now  ; 
when  the  ceremony  was  over,  a  novice  took  the  afs  by 
the  bridle,  and  began  to  walk  in  the  cioiftcr,  and  every 
Friar  made  a  reverence,  pafilng  by,  and  fo  the  people 
kneeling  down  before  him,  one  (aid,  O  happy  afs^  o- 
thers  (Specially  the  eld  women)  cried  out,  0  burro 
de  Chnflo,  L  e.  O  afs  of  Chrift  !  But  his  Grace  dilpleaf- 
ed  at  fo  great  a  fuperflition,  fpoke  to  the  guardian, 
and  d4fired  him  not  to  fufFer  his  Friars  to  give  fuch  an 
example  to  the  ignorant  people,  as  to  adore  the  afs. 
The  guardian  was  a  pleafant  man,  and  feeing  the 
Archb  {hop  fo  melancholy,  only  to  make  him  laugh, 
told  his  Grace  that  it  was  impofiiblc  for  him  to  obey 
his  Grace,  without  removing  all  his  Friars  to  another 
convent,  and  bring  a  new  community.  Why  fo,  faid 
his  Grace  ?  Becauic  (replied  the  guardian)  all  my  Fri- 
ars are  he  afTcs.  And  you  the  guardian  of  them  (an- 
f we  red  his  Grace.) 

Thus  Prieils  and  Friars  excite  the  people,  not  on- 
ly to  adore  the  image  of  Jcfus  Chrift,  but  irrational  crea- 
tures too  ;  nay,  the  very  infenfifele  (though  vegetable, 
as  they  fay)  things.  They  give  out,  that  the  nails  of 
the  feet  of  Chrift's  image  of  Calatrao  grow  every  week, 
and  the  Clerk  of  the  chapel  keeps  a  box  full  of  them, 
to  give  the  pairings  to  the  people,  as  a  great  relic, 
which  they  kifs  and  adore  as  if  they  were  little  gods, 
and  I  keptmyfelf,  when  I  was  young,  a  piece  of  thofe 
nails  fct  in  gold,  hanging  night  and  day  on  my  neck. 
So  great  is  the  ftupidity  of  the  people,  and  fo  great  the 
ignorance  of  the  Pritfts  and  Fnars,  or  rather  their  craf- 
tincfs  and  covetoufnefs,  for  I  cannot  believe  they  credil 
themfdves  the  ftgries  which  they  give  out, 

'  "        -  -^       K  k  Therg 


't^%  ^A    MASTER-KEY 

Tiicre  is  another  image  of  the  Virgin  Mary^  calM 
la  Aurora,  i.  e.  the  morning  day  break,  in  the  convensr 
of  Francrfcan  Friars,  called  Jefus  of  the  bridge,   be- 
caufe  it  is  near  the  wooden  bridge  of  the  city.     This^ 
image  was  in  great  veneration  fbme  years  ago,  and  the 
lay- brethren  ot  that  convent  wereVery  much  refpe6led 
by  all  the  people  of  that  city,  becaufc  they  had  given 
out  that   there  was  always  one  lay- brother  in  that  con- 
vent fo  godly  that  he  was   in  high  eftecm  and  favour 
sNhh.  the  Virgin   de  la  Aurora^  but  unhappily  for  that 
image,  for  the  convent,  and  for  the  lay-brethren  of  it  % 
for  one  of  them,  who  was  clerk  of   the  chapel  of  the 
Virgin,  gave  out  in  the  city,   that  on   her  feftival  day, 
which  was  the  Ttiefday  after  Rafter^  the  image  was   to 
dance  with  him  after  evening  fongs  were  over.     This 
uncommon   miracle  excited  the  curiofity   of  almofl  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  city  to  meet  there   at   the  fixed 
day  5  but   thrC   crafty  Friars  knowing  that   th^,  loth 
part   of  the    people    could   not   fee  it,  upon   fecond 
thoughts,  fpread  in  the  city  that  the  miracle  was  to  be 
continued  for  eight  days,  or,as  ihey  fay,  all  tl^e  days  of 
t\\Q'0^ava  of  the  Virgin.     So  the  firft  and  fecond  days 
"weie  appointed  for  the  noblemen  and    ladies,  and  the 
reft  for  tradefmen  and  common  people. 

When  the  dav  was  come,  and  the  evenino  fongs  were 
over,  the  image  of  the  Virgia  v/as  in  the  middle  of  the 
altar  of  her  chapel,  in  a  gilt  fmall  chapel,  richly  dreft, 
and  all  the  altar  round  about  full  of  wax-candies  ;  Be- 
fore the  altar  a  fcaffold  was  let  up  for  the  mufic,  and 
for  the  lay-brother,  fo  when  the  church  was  full  of 
people,  the  father  guardian  made  the  fignal  to  the  bro- 
ther to  begin  to  dance,  las  fclias^  i.  e.  the  follies,  with 
the  Cajlannetcs^  or  cracking  of  the  fingers.  The  Friar 
danced  a  long  while  without  being  accompanied  by  the 
image  :  The  people  began  to  fay  that  the  la>-brother 
was  a  cheat,  which  being  heard  by  him,  he  fell  down 
vpon  his  knees,  and  began  to  cry  bitterly,  and  fay  to 
the  image  in  an  innoo#nt  ftile  j  hear,-  young  Madona^ 

d.G 


U    P  0  F  E  R  r. 

3t)  not  make  mc  pafs  for  a  cheat ;  you  know  very  well 
what  you  promifsd  m;^  one  night,  when  I  was  combino- 
the  wig  rliAt  my  coufin  gave  you:  Hear,  do  you  re- 
m^m  ler  ?  You  lay  nothing  ?  Tnen,  by  this  holy  crofs, 
you  fh  ill  pay  for  it.  Now  I  will  afk  you  to  be  as 
good  as  your  word,  twice  more,  and  it  you  will  expofc 
me  to  be  laughed  at,  by  the  people  here  prt- fcnt,  by  my 
faith,  L  will  f^ear  that  you  are  the  cheat,  and  every  bo- 
dy will  believe  me,  and  none  for  die  future  will  care 
for  you.  O  what  joy  was  it  to  tliQ  Friar,  and  the  peo- 
ple, to  fee  the  image  make  a  reverence  to  the  brother  ! 
Now  (faid  he)  you  are  an  honed  woman,  come  let  us 
dance  the  FoliaSj  and  let  every  oie  here  preient  knov/ 
that  you  perform  whatever  you  promife.  The  image 
really  began  to  turn  round  about,  for  the  fpaceof  three 
minuLcs.  A  reverend  filence  was  kept  in  the  church, 
all  were  furprifed  to  fee  fo  wonderful  a  miracle,  and  n^ 
bjJy  dired  to  fay  a  word,  but  the  good  brother,  who 
(when  the  image  ceafed  from  her  motions)  turning  to 
the  people,  faid,  N jw  you  fee  the  great  efbeem  this 
imi2;e  hath  for  m:r,  and  becaufe  I  love  the  inhabitants 
of  Zaraggfa^  as  my  own  life,  I  will  ailc  a  favour  from 
my  image  for  them  ;  which,  if  fhe  refufeth,  I  have  done 
with  her^  xktrt  are  the  keys  of  her  treafure,  and  let  her 
hire  anotner  fervant,  for  I  am  fure  no  body  can  be  fo 
faithiUl  as  I  have  been  to  her.  Ay,  (he  will  think  on 
it  before  Ih-  lofeth  me  !  Njw  the  favour  that  I  beg  of 
you,  for  my  fellow-citizens  of  Zaragofa,  (turning  to 
the  image)  is,  that  you  will  take  the  name  of  every 
one  that  comes,  and  offers  you  the  charity  of  one  Mafs 
only/ for  I  would  not  have  them  pay  too  dear  for  this 
favour)  and  enter  it  in  the  book  of  eternal  life.  •  My 
old  country  friends,  do  not  think  this  to  be  a  fmali  fa- 
vour, for  with  it  you  may  give  a  fig  for  the  Devil,  and 
!au2;h  at  him.  Now  let  me  fee  what  anfwer  fli^  mves 
me.  Will  you  grant  them  this  favour  ?  Then-  the 
image  lifted  up,  and  bowed  down  ii;s  head  •,  at  whicli 
£jnal,  the  people  cried  out,  Viv^^  viva  la  Virgin  ds 


H  AMJSrER'KET 


la  Aurora,  Let  the  Virgin  of  the  morning  live  i 
Or  long  live  the  Virgin  oF  Aurora,  This  miracle 
was  immediately  divulged  through  the  whole  city,  and 
for  the  fix  following  cays  the  church  was  crowd- 
ed wiih  people  from  morning  till  the  dance  of  Folias 
v/as  ended  :  But  the  Jnquifitors  finding  the  thing  fome- 
thing  odd,  they  fent  the  Secretary  to  the  convent  at 
midnight,  with  order  to  take  up  the  lay-brother,  and 
fearch  the  image  j  which  being  done  accordingly,  he 
found  an  inllrument  to  move  the  image  with,  which 
did  come  down  under  the  altar's  table,  where  another 
lay- brother  did  turn  tfee  inllrument :  So  the  cheat  was 
found  our,  but  too  late,  for  in  the  fix  days  the  image 
harlaquin  danced,  the  Friars  got  four  thoufand  pieces  of 
eight  for  MafTt's,  as  the  Father  guardian  of  the  convene 
owned  to  the  Inqaifitors,  and  all  that  was  infiided  on 
the  two  lay- brothers,  for  this  crime,  was  to  fend  them 
into  another  convent  in  the  country.  The  convene 
loft  a  great  deal  by  this  difcovery,  for  the  people  ne- 
ver went  near  it  fince,  and  the  community  that  was 
formerly  compofed  of  an  hundred  Friars,  is  now  re- 
duced to  thirty  in  all.  This  dance  of  the  Spnriflo  fol- 
lies, or  the  tollies  of  that  dance  (for  one  made  many 
fools  with  it)  did  happen  in  1705,  of  which  i  was  an 
eye-witnefs,  for  I  went  twice  to  fee  the  wonder  of  won- 
ders, as  the  Friars  ufed  to  call  it. 

The  adoration  of  St.  Mames  in  the  Parifh  church 
"Ci^St.  Mary  Magdalene,,  is  another  inftance  of  the  PrieHs 
fupciilition  or  covrtoufnefs.  The  Priefts  of  the  paridt 
with  the  mjnifter,  Dodor  Parras^  feeing  that  their 
■church  was  not  haunted  as  many  others,  for  want  of 
a  new  miraculous  faint,  pretended  they  found  out  in  a 
rock  the  orps  of  St.  AJames,  who  was  a  (hepherd, 
and  fo  making  a  gilt  box,  they  put  this  faint,  dreft  like 
a  ftiepherd,  into  it,  v/ith  a  paftoral  hook,  and  many 
lamps  and  fheep  made  of  filver  :  The  box  was  placed 
t>n  the  altar's  table  under  the  feet  of  a  crucifix,  and 
they  exhorted  CYcry  one  to  worfhip  and  adore  him,  ce- 
lebrating 


fo^  P  O  P  E  R  r.  ft 85 

lebrating  his  fingular  virtues  with  an  O^ava,  or  eight 
days  of  feftival,  and  eight  panegyric  itrmons.  This 
invention  was  in  t709,  and  I  was  the  fi-ft  year  the 
feventh  preacher  in  his  O^ava,  The  novelty  of  a  new 
faint  brought  all  the  people  of  the  city,  and  many  of 
the  country  to  adore  him.  Mufic,  illuminations,  ring- 
ing of  bells,  and  public  proccfTions,  were  inr  the  moft 
folemn  and  magnificent  manner  obferved,  and  per- 
formed during  eight  days,  in  which,  many  miracles 
were  publiflied  as  tokens  of  St.  Mames^s  power,  and 
the  affe6lion  he  had  tor  the  people.  I  was,  as  well  as 
the  other  preachcrs,very  much  embarrafTcd,  having  no 
hiftory,  nor  public  account  of  the  new  faint's  hfe  ; 
but  at  laft  we  found  a  new  way  to  fatisfy  the  Prieils 
of  the  parifh,  and  to  extol  the  virtues  of  their  faints  ; 
for  we  eight  preachers,among  ourfeives,agreed  to  take 
for  our  text,  every  one  of  us,  the  Athenians  motto : 
Ignoto  Z)^^,  and  to  alter  it  for  the  divilion  of  the  heads, 
thus  :  Tgneto  Pajiori,  and  to  imitate  St.  Paul,  who 
perfuaded  the  Athenians  that  the  unknown  God  by 
them  was  the  very  God  ;  and  perfuaded  the  people 
that  the  unknown  lliepherd  of  St.  Miimes^  whom  we 
began  to  adore,  was  the  very  fhepherd,  who  was  to 
take  care  of  his  chofen  flock  in  Zaragufa,  So,  upon 
this  foundation,  every  one  endeavoured  to  publifh  the 
encomiums  of  the  new  faint,  which  were  ail  fidlions 
out  of  our  heads.  Thefe  fermons  were  v.  ry  much 
praifed  by  T>q^\.qv  Parras^  minifber  of  the  parifh,  and 
by  all  his  Priefts,  and  being  printed  afterwartis  by  the 
heirs  of  Pedro  Dormer^  every  body  bought  them,  in 
order  to  be  acquainted  by  them  with  the  unknown 
fhepherd  ^x.,  Mamts.  All  the  while  i  was  there  after,  I 
obierved  ail  forts  and  conditions  of  people  going  to 
worfhip  a-^d  adore  the  corner  of  the  box  of  the  faint, 
and  when  I  \dt  Zaragofa,  the  church  and  chapel  was 
very  much  improved  by  the  miracles  wrought  dail/ 
h'j  St.  Mames. 

But  the  bigotry  of  Prieils  and  Friars  is  fo  great,  that 

they 


^55  5r    M  A  ^  r  E  R-K  E  T 

they  are  not  fatbfied  with  adoring  and  worfhipii^g 
images  of  faints,  and  their  relics,  but  they  make  the 
very  beads  to  worfliip  them  alfo;  this  will  appear  by 
the  daily  cud'om  they  have  on  St.  Martin's  day.  They 
publifh,  and  the  people  believe,  what  is  written  in  the 
life  of  Sr.  Antonio  Ahhot^  viz.  that  he  was  an  advocate 
lor  the  cattle  with  God,  and  therefore,  in  the  church 
of  St.  Martin^  in  Zaragofa^  his  image  is  in  the  middle 
of  the  great  altar,  with  a  pig  at  his  tcet :  For  the  hifto- 
ry  fajs,  that  he  cured  mafiy  pigs.  In  memory  then, 
and  veneration  of  this  laint  (whom  we  may  call  the 
faint  of  the  beafts)  the  magiftrates  of  the  city  aflifl:  at 
the  great  Ma!s,  and  the  lermon  preached  on  his  felli- 
val  day,  &  every  body  recommends  his  beads  to  him, 
and  puts  them  under  his  care  and  protedlion,  and  they 
have  not  only  this  faith,  but  they  give  a  public  teili- 
mony  of  it ;  for  that  day,  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  af- 
ternoon, every  one,from  the  Archbifhop  to  the  carrier, 
fends  his  horles,  mules,  alfes,  and  pigs,  to  make  three 
turns  round  about  the  church  of  ^t,  Martin;  The 
coachmen  and  fervants  do  endeavour  to  drefs  the  beafts 
with  the  bed  mantles,  collars  of  fmall  bells^  and  the 
necks  &  tails  full  of  {i\c\\  ribbons  as  they  can  get ;  fo 
wheh  t\\iy  have  finifhed  the  third  turn,  they  (lop  be- 
fore the  church's  door,  and  make  a  fcrt  of  a  bow,  and 
the  cleik  of  the  church,  who  .is  a  Pried,  gives  them  the 
blefling,  and  a  bit  of  blcfTtd  bread.  Every  bead  is  to 
pay  to  his  advocate  half  a  real  of  plate,  which  is  very 
much,  every  yea^  and  not  only  the  beads  or  cattle  of 
t\\t  city  pay  that  tribute,  but  all,  or  almoft  all  the  cat- 
tle of  the  country,  except  the  iheep,  for  20  dicep  pay 
only  the  fam  aforefaid.  There  are  four  Prieds  belong- 
ing to  that  church,  which  are  called,  Commifarics  de 
Be/lias  de  Si.  Antonio  Abad^  Connmifiaries  of  St.  An- 
thony's beads ;  and  after  his  fedival,  they  take  their  cir- 
cuits through  the  whole  kingdom  ,  they  do  not  preach, 
but  in  every  town  they  go  through  all  the  inhabitants 
©f  it  bring  their  cattle  and  dieep  into  a  large  field,  and 

tlie 


i$    F  0  P  E  R  T.  \%f 

the  Pricftof  the  circuit  gives  them  ?*t.  AntBmo*s>  blef- 
fins,  and  receives  the  tribute  •,  afterwards  he  blcfleth 
the"  waters,  grafs,  earth,  and  the  very  draw  the  people 
keep  to  feed  their  cattle  :  So  if  a  mule  or  horfe  is 
fick,  they  pray  to  St.  Antcnio^  and  m^ny  go  to  the 
Pried  and  defire  him  to  fay  a  Mafs  for  the  bead,  that 
it  may,  by  the  help  of  it,  recover  its  healih.  The  four 
ignorant  Prieds  tell  fuch  dories  of  St.  Antonio  and  his 
pig  to  the  country  people  and  idiots,  that  many  poor 
-filly  women,  thinking  thcmfelves  unworthy  to  ap- 
proach near,  or  pray  to  the  glorious  faint  himfelf,  pray 
before  the  pig,  make  their  requeds  to  it,  and  gene- 
roufly  give  it  ribbons  and  trinkets,  that  by  its  intcrcef- 
fion,  their  beads  and  themfelves  may  be  preferved 
from  all  evil  and  mifchief  in  all  times  of  their  tribula- 
tion, in  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  day  ot  judgment. 
Thefe  are  their  practices,  their  corruptions,  and  their 
abominations,  before  the  Lord. 

But  becaufe  this  article  of  images,  and  the  next  of 
relics,  contribute  very  much  to  the  difcovery  of  the 
idolatries,  and  of  the  bigotries  and  fuperditions  of  all 
thofe  of  that  communion,  I  diall  not  leave  this  fubjtdi, 
without  giving  an  account  offome  remarkable  images 
which  are  worlhiped  2nd  adored  by  them  all. 

They  have  innumerable  images  of  Chrid,  the  Vir- 
gin Mary^  the  Angels  and  Saints  in  the  dreets,  in  fmall 
chapels  built  within  the  thicknefs  ot  the  v»ralis,  and 
mod  commonly  in  the  corners  of  the  dreets,  which 
the  people  adore,  kneel  down  before,  and  make  pray- 
ers and  fupplications  to.  They  fay,  that  many  of 
thofe  images  have  fpckc  to  fome  devout  perfons,  as 
that  of  Sr.  Phi  ip  Nery  did  to  a  certain  ambitious  Pried, 
who,  walking  through  the  dreet  where  the  image  was, 
was  talking  within  himfelf,  and  fnying.  Now  I  am  a 
Pried,  next  year  I  hope  to  be  Dean,  after  B  fhop, 
thrn  Cardinal,  and  after  all  Summus  Poniifex^  to  which 
foiilcquy,  the  image  of  St.  Philip  anfvv'ered  :  And  af- 
Ur  all  thofe  honor ^^  comes  dcatb^  and  aficr  deaths  Hell 

and 


«SS  "AMASrER-KET 

and  damnation  for  ever.  The  Priefl:  being  furpri fed  zt 
this  anlwerjfo  much  a  proposy  and  looking  up  and  down, 
he  faw  the  mouth  of  the  image  open,  by  which  he  con- 
cluded that  the  imaoe  had  given  him  the  anfwer,  and 
fo,  taking  a  firm  reiblution  to  leave  all  tlic  thoughts  of 
this  deceitful  world,  with  his  own  money  hepurchafed 
the  houfe  where  the  imaee  was,  and  built  a  decent 
chapel  in  honor  of  St.  Philips  which  now,  by  the  gifts 
of  pious  people,  is  fo  much  enlarged,  that  we  reckon 
Sz.  Philip's  church  and  parifh  to  be  the  third  in  the 
city  for  riches,  and  the  number  of  beneficiate  Priefts 
being  46,  befides  the  Redlor, 

In  St.  PhiUph  church  there  is  a  miraculous 
cruci£x,  called  El  fanta  Chrijlo  delas  peridas  :  The 
holy  Chnft  of  child- bed  women  ;  which  is  very  much 
frequented  by  all  people,  but  chiefly  by  the  ladies, 
who  go  there  to  be  churcheJ,  and  leave  the  purificati- 
on offerings  mentioned  in  the  ceremonial  law  o^ Mofes, 
And  as  there  is  this  image,  v;hich  is  an  advocate  of 
women  delivered  of  child,  there  are  alfo  two  images, 
who  are  advocates  of  barren  women,  one  of  the  Virgin 
in  the  convent  of  Rtcolei  Friars  of  St.  Auguftine^  and 
another  of  St.  Antonio  de  Pdula  :  The  firlt  is  called 
ihe  Virgin  of  the  barren  women  ;  the  fecond,  the  intercef^ 
for  of  the  barren  ladies.  This  fecond  image  is  in  the 
convent  ox  Vi^orian  Friars.,  and  is  kept  in  a  gilt  box, 
in  a  chapel  within  the  cloifter,  and  the  door  is  always 
lock'd  up,  and  the  key  kept  by  the  Father  corredor, 
i.  e.  the  fuperior  of  the  convent. 

Thefe  two  images,  or  rather  the  fie  wards  of  them, 
work  undeniable  miracles  every  year,  for  no  barren 
woman  goes  to  pray  and  adore  thefc  images,  without 
coming  home  with  child,  for  they  are  fo  fure  by  faith, 
or  adlion,  that  they  give  out,  and  make  the  poor  huf- 
bands  believe,  that  they  find  themfelves  very  much  al- 
tered, (^c.  So  if  the  ViBoyian  Friars  publifh  one  or 
two  miracles,  one  week,  the  Recokts  do  publifh  three 
or  four  the  week  following,  and  io  they  make  good  the 

phyficians. 


to    P  0  F  E  R  Y.  ftSj 

phyficians,  faving,  that  there  is  no  fuch  thing  as  barren- 
nel5,  Where  there  are  inch  images,  and  that  (xitus  a^d 
frohat^  occ.  For  no  woman,  who  gors  to  njakc  three 
turns  round  the  box  ut  Sc.  Antonio  ds  Paula,  or  adoies 
the  gird!:"  of  the  Virgin,  is  barren  afterwards.  But  the 
Vi^crians  get  more  pri  fit  by  it  than  the  Reccletj  -,  for 
all  the  l.id'es  that  are,  or  pretended  to  be  barren,  go  td 
Sr.  Jntotiio,  and  the  common  people  to  the  Kecokts, 
The  truth  i-,  that  ihc  Virion  arts  are  well  dreil:,  and 
jlTJcfl:  commonly,  handfome  fellows,  merry,  and  fir  tor 
company,  polite,  and  great  gamcrters,  which  are  good 
Qualifications  to  pleafe  intriguing  women. 

Another  inftance  of  their  ignorant  pradiccs  is, 
their  adolarrous  adoration  of  the  Virgin  Mary  in  bed, 
on  her  afcenfion-day,  the  fifteenth  ot  Auguft,  All  the 
ladies  of  the  pariih  j  )in  all  their  jewels  and  ribbons, 
on  the  fourteenth  of  that  month,  and  go  to  church  ia 
the  afternoon,  where  the  parifli  miniiler,  with  his  cler- 
gy, or  the  Prior  ot  the  convent,  with  his  Friars,  are 
waiting  for  them  ;  then  the  ladies,  to  take  a  refrefh- 
ment  (or,  as  they  call  it.  The  CQllaticn  of  the  Virgin) 
go  all  together  to  the  veftry,  or  to  a  private  ro'>m  for 
vifits,  and  all  arc  very  merry  for  an  hour  or  two:  Thea 
the  fuperioT  choofes  one  of  the  richefl  ladies  for  wait- 
ing lady  to  the  bkiT-d  Mary,  and  fix  affilLints  under 
her,  which  muft  be  unmarried  young  ladits,  and  this 
honorable  employment  is  f  r  one  year.  The  w.  iting- 
lady  and  her  afTiltants  are  to  dief^  the  Virgin,  and  cru- 
der the  bed  with  great  nicety,  and  afTiil  eve'y  day, 
morning  and  evening,  during  the  eight  days  of  tie  .ef- 
tival  at  chur  h,  and  pay  tor  a  fplendid  dinner  tha 
eight  days  for  the  clergy,  or  comtnunicy,  an  \  they  are 
obliged  to  ferve  at  the  table,  as  an  ad  of  humility.  S  \ 
when  every  thing  is  fettled  between  them  and  tha 
fuperior,  they  go  into  the  church,  and  every  thing 
being  ready,  they  fct  up  the  bed,  which  is  made  very 
neiii,  and  with  curtains  of  the   bell   brocade  ;  the 

Li  '  image 


^90         A    M  A  S  r  E  R'K  E  T 

image  of  the  Virgin,  in  a  clean  fine  fhift,  is  laid  down 
on  the  bed  by  the  waiting  lady  and  her  afliftants,  and 
covered  with  a  quilt,  which  is  very  richly  laced  round 
about.  The  bed  is  under  a  canopy,  and  twenty-four 
large,  thick  wax  candles  are  burning  round  it.  When 
all  is  in  order,  the  evening  fongs  begin,  and  after  them 
every  Priefl;  or  Friar,  and  the  people  after  them, 
draw  near  the  bed,  kneel  down,  fay  a  prayer,  and  kifs 
one  of  the  Virgin's  hands  with  g;reat  devotion.  The 
next  day  is  the  great  fedival,  which  is  celebrated  with 
mufic,  High-Mafs,  a  fermon,  evening  fongs,  and  a 
general  procefTion  through  the  llreets.  After  which 
the  fame  religious  ceremony,  of  praying  and  kiffing  her 
Iiand,  is  devoutly  repeated  by  the  clergy  and  laity  ; 
and  thefe  public  demcnftrations  of  zeal  and  devotion 
(except  the  procefTion)  are  continued  every  day  during 
the  OElava. 

Another  practice  like  this,  of  paying  worfhip  and 
adoration  to  the  Virgin  Mother,  and  her  child  Jcfus 
in  a  manger,  is  obferved  on  Chriftmas^  and  eight  days 
after:  But  efpecially  the  Nuns  do  (ignalizethcmfelves 
on  this  feflival,  and  that  on  which  Jefus  v/as  lofl  and 
found  again  in  the  Temple  ;  for  they  hide  the  child 
in  fome  fecret  place  under  the  altar's  table,  and  after 
evening  fongs  they  run  up  and  down  thro'  the  garden, 
cloiflers,  and  church,  to  fee  whether  they  can  find  the 
innocent  child,  and  the  Nun  that  finds  him  out,  is  ex- 
cus'd,  for  that  year,  from  all  the  painful  offices  ot  the 
convent,  but  fhe  is  to  give,  for  3  days  together,  a  good 
dinner  to  all  the  Nuns  and  Father  ConfelTor  \  and 
that  year  flie  may  go  to  the  grate  at  any  time,  with- 
out any  leave  or  fear,  for  Hie  doth  not  affifl  at  the 
public  fervice  of  prayers  :  In  fhort,  fhe  has  liberty  of 
confcience  that  year,  for  finding  the  loft  child,  and  fhe 
is  often  loft  too  at  the  end  of  the  year,  by  toUowing 
a  licentious  fort  of  lil'Cc 

Thefe 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  29.1 

Thefe  are,  infomc  meafiire,  voluntary  devotions  and 
-adorations,  but  there  are  many  others  by  precept  of  the 
church,  and  ordinances  of  feveral  Popes,  who  have  grant- 
ed proper  fervices  to  feveral  images,  with  which  Frlcfts 
and  Friars  do  ferve  and  adore  them,  or  elfe  they  com- 
mit a  mortal  fin,  as  well  as  if  they  negledled  the  divine 
and  ecclefiaftical  fervice,  and  the  due  obfervance  of 
the  ten  commandments  of  the  law  of  God.  I  will  give 
a  few  inftances  of  thefe  adorations  by  precept,  and  vvith 
them  I  fhall  difmifs  this  prefenc  article. 

There  arc,  in  the  church  of  Rome,  proper  fervices 
granted  by  the  Popes  for  the  invention  or  finding  out 
of  the  Crofs,  and  for  the  exalStion  of  it,  and  every 
Pried,  Friar  and  Nun,  is  obliged,  in  confcicnce, 
to  fay  thefe  fervices  in  honor  of  the  Crofs  •,  and  after 
the  great  Mafs  they  adore  the  Crofs,  and  this  is  proper- 
ly adoration,  for  they  fay  in  the  hymn.  Let  us  come  and 
adore  the  holy  Crofs^  &c.  and  the  people  do  the  fame  af- 
ter them.  They  carry  the  Crofs  on  the  3d  of  May,  and 
on  the  great  Litany-days,  in  a  folemn  procefiion,  to  fome 
high  place  out  of  the  town,  and  atter  the  officiating 
Prieft  has  lifted  up  the  Crofs  towards  the  fouth,  north, 
wed,  and  eaft,  bleffing  the  four  parts  of  the  world,  and 
fmging  the  Litany,  the  proctiTion  comes  back  to  the 
church.  Thefe  tedivals  are  celebrated  with  more  de- 
votion and  veneration,  as  to  the  outward  appearance, 
than  pomp  and  magnificence,  except  in  the  churches 
dedicated  to  the  holy  Crols,  where  this  being  the  titu- 
lar fefrival,  is  conftantly  performed  with  all  manner 
of  ceremonies,  as  the  days  of  the  firft  clafs. 

Again,  There  is  another  fuperilitious  (tho' profita- 
ble to  the  clergy)  ceremony  in  their  church,  which 
they  call  the  adoration  of  the  peace  of  God,  for  which 
purpofe  they  keep  in  every  church  two  flat  pieces  of 
filver,  like  a  fmoothing-iron,  with  an  handle  whereon 
arc  engraved  the  figure  of  tke  Crofs,  and  the  images 

of 


ass  A    M  A  sr  E  R-K  E  Y 

of  the  Apoftlfs  Teter  and  Peiul\  fo  in  the  rreaf  Maf*?, 
when  the  Pried  comes  to  break  the  confecrared  Holl, 
and  puts  the  fmall  part  within    the  chalice,  and  fays, 
Taic  'Domini  Jit  femper  vobifcum  :   That  is.  The  peace  of 
the  Lord  he  always  with  yoUy  and  this  he  fays,   making 
the  fign  of  the  Crofs  on  the  chalice*,  then  the  deacon 
gives  him  the  filver  piece,  which  he   kifleth,  and  the 
deacon  doing  the  fame,   gives  it  to  the  lubdeacon,  and 
fo  it  goes  round  to  the  inoenfer,  and  one  of  the  acoli- 
ti,  /.  e.  thofe  that  carry  the  two  candle  (licks.     The 
other  acoiitus,    who  hath  the  fecond  piece,    ccmes   to 
Join  both  pieces  together,  and  having  a  filken   tcwel 
on  his  neck,    he  poes  to  give  the  piece  to   the   magif- 
trates  all  on  their  knees,  and  to  the  reft  of  the  people, 
and  every  body   gives  the  peace  offering  in   money, 
which  is  for  the  Pricfl  that  officiates.     Buc  the  grearcft 
offering  to  the  Crofs,  of  money  and  eatable  things,  is  on 
the  Sunday  next  before  Eafter.     That  day  Piitfls  and 
Friars   blcfs  the  palms,  or  olive  branches,   and   make 
of  them  fmall  CToffef,  which,  as  they  make  the  people 
believe,    arc    the    beft   relics   againft.   lightnings   and 
thunders:   So  the  people,   willing  to  have  fo  great  a 
fafeguard,  together   with   the  bleflfed   branch  of  olive- 
tree,  go  to  church,  and  (efpecially  the  children)  carry 
another    branch   furnifbed  with  fweet  meats,  tied   up 
with  all  f)rts  of  ribbons,    and  fome  pieces  of  fjlver 
too;  and  when  they  receive  the  bkfied  b  anch  and  the- 
Crofs   from  the  hand  of  the  Pricfl  (after  the  benedic- 
tion is  over),  they  leave   the  rich  brarch -,   fo  in  fome 
parilli  churches  the  minifter  gets  by  it,  parable  things, 
ribbons,  money,  and  wood  fur  firing  for  a  whcle  year  ; 
and  the  people  think  themfelvrs  very  happy  a  id  fafe  for 
that  year  with  the  fmall  blefTed  Crois  :  But,  for  all  that, 
many  and  rnany  arc  kilkd  every  fummer  by  flafhts  of 
lightning. 

There  a^e  proper  fervices  f]rranted  to  the  Virgin  Mn^ 
ry,  under  the  foUowing   names :  The   Virgin  of   the 

rofe 


(ff    P  O  P  E  R  r.  293 

m^<^  of  Sr,  Dominickj  of  the  frirdle  of  St.  Jugitfiine,  or 
tke  rope  ot  St.  Francis,  and  of  the  fcapuhry  of  Mounc 
CarmeL  All  thefc  diftinguiihing  figns  ot  the  Virgin 
Mary^  are  celebrareJ  by  the  church  and  fraternities  of 
devnut  people,  a'^d  adored  by  all  Chriftians  being  all 
images  and  relics  to  be  woifliippcd  by  thefpeci^l  com- 
mand of  the  Pjpe  :  Of  which  precepts  I  will  fpeak 
(hiDttly,  at  the  end  of  this  book,  if  there  be  room  for  it. 
Now,  by  what  has  been  faid,  where  can  we  find  ex- 
preflijns  fit  to  explain  the  wickcdnefs,  of  the  Romifh 
Priefts  the  ignorance  of  the  people,  committed  to. 
their  charge,  and  the  idolatrous,  nonfenfical,  ridiculous 
ceremonies,  with  which  they  ferve,  notG:>d,  but  faints, 
giving  them  more  tribute  of  adoration,  than  to  the  Al- 
miahty  .?  I  muft  own,  that  the  poor  people  who  are 
eaQly  ptrfuaded  of  every  thing,  are  not  to  be  blamed, 
but  only  the  covetous,  barbarous  clergy  ^  for  thefe 
(though  many  of  them  are  very  blind)  are  not  to  be, 
fuppofed  ignorant  of  what  fins  they  do  commit,  and  ad- 
vife  the  people  to  commit  :  S  ),  acting  againfi:  the  dic- 
tates of  their  own  conlcience*^,  they,  I  believe,  muilan- 
fw'cr  for  their  ill  guided  .flock,  befoie  the  tribunal  of 
the  livino;  God. 

ARTICLE      III. 

Of  thdr  relicSy  and.  their  truji  in  them. 

THE  council  of  Trent  laid  a  curfc  on  all  thofe  that 
fh;  uld  not  give  the  honor  due  to  the  faints,  their 
ftpulchres  and  relics  ;  buc  Pr  eft^  and  Friars,  as  divine 
cxpofitors  of  the  counxil,  explain  the  word  honor  to  be 
godly  wofiliiping  and  adoration  ;  and  this  is  to  fet  the 
greater  value  on  the  relics,  and  get  more  riches  by 
them  :  /•  nd  though  the  fame  council  did  command  not 
to  receive  any  new  relic,  without  the  conftnt  of  the 
B  (hop  of  the  diocefs,  they  do  not  mind  councils  in 
rnatters  of  fclf-intereft,  and  they  make  every  day,  as 

they 


294  ^AMJSTER'KET 

they  have  occafion  for  them,  new  relics  of  the  bones 
of  a  dead  hone  or  dog,  &c.  as  we  fhall  fee  by  and  by  : 
So,  it  will  likewifc  appear,  that  ail  the  relics  are  only 
a  colour  and  pretence  for  PrieRs  and  Friars  to  gtic 
-money. 

As  to  the  famous  celebrated  Virgin  of  Pilar^  the 
-greateft  relic  is  to  have  none,  by  which  they  preferve 
the  admiration  of  the  people  for  the  holy  image, made  ot 
heavenly  matter,which  v/as  never  touch'd  till  this  day  : 
But  they  give  (as  I  have  faid  already)  for  relics,  the 
dufl,  &  fmaii  bits  of  the  ftones  they  took  from  the  wall, 
when  they  made  an  hole  to  fnew,  through  it,  the  holy 
pillar,  on  which  the  image  (lands.  But  here  we  muft 
obferve,  that  the  hole  being  no  bigger  than  the  circum- 
ference of  a  fmall  plate,  and  being  made  thefe  1600 
years  &  more,  all  which  time  they  have  been  beftowing 
relics  of  the  dull  and  ilones  to  every  good  benefactor, 
it  is  a  w'onder  that  the  flock  of  the.  Virgin's  chaplain 
is  not  exhaufc  d  :  But  the  people  are  not  furprifed  at 
it,  for  the  chaplain  gives  out,  and  it  is  printed  in  her 
book,  that  the  dull  and  floncs  are  always  kept  up  in 
in  the  fame  quantity  by  a  miracle,  and  that  the  image 
will  coutinue  this  miracle,  for  the  comfort  of 
all  Chriftians,  to  the  end  of  the  world  ;  and  that  then 
the  fame  Angels  that  brought  the  image  from  Heaven, 
fhali  come  to  take  it  up  again  ;  for  no  heavenly  thing 
can  be  expos'd  to  the  fiial  conflagration. 

Befides  thofe  fort  of  relics,  the  Popes  have  granted 
free  and  full  indulgence,  and  pardon  of  fins,  to  ail 
thofe  that  fliould  have  either  a  rofary  or  medal  touch'd 
by  the  image  of  Pilar^  and  fuch  an  indulgence  ferves 
once  in  the  lire  of  the  perfon  that  keeps  one  of  thofe 
relics,  and  once  more  at  the  point  of  death-,  fothe 
chaplain  has  bufinefs  enough  every  day,  for  there  is 
not  one  living  perfon  in  all  Spain^  I  verily  believe,  that 
has  not  a  relic  of  this  fort,  for  the  chaolain  receives  a 
voluntary  gift  for  the  trouble  of  touching  the  medal  or 

beads 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  295 

beads,  or  any  other  thing  with  the  image,  fo  that  he 
makes  relics  of  every  thing.  But,  as  to  the  rich  peo- 
ple, the  chaplain  ufeth  them  with  more  refpeft,  in  order 
to  get  the  more  from  them  ;  for  he  gives  them  a  piece 
of  an  old  mantle  of  the  Virgin,  1  mean  of  one  that  has 
been  on'ce  on  the  image  •,  and  fuch  a  piece  is  efteemed 
highly  by  the  rich,as  a  thing  that  has  touch'd  the  image 
a  long  time.  And  when  any  of  the  rich  people  are  fick, 
they  fend  for  a  whole  mantle,  to  put  it  on  the  bed,  and 
if  the  fick  recovers,  'tis  thought  that  'tis  a  miracle 
wrought  by  the  mantle  •,  and  they  pay  a  piftole  for  e- 
every  day  they  keep  the  mantle  in  the  houfe. 

As  to  the  lignum  cruets^  or  the  wood  of  the  Crofs,  on 
which  our  Saviour  fufFered  death,  I  fuppofe  every  bo- 
dy knows  the  common  opinion  of  the  Romans,  which 
is,  that  it  groweth  every  year  -,  fo  no  wonder  if  there  is 
fo  great  a  quantity  of  it  in  the  world  •,  and  I  am  fure, 
if  all  the  bits  and  relics  of  the  holy  wood  could  be  ga- 
thered together  in  one  place,  there  would  be  firing 
enough  for  a  whole  year,  for  a  great  many  families  : 
But  this  is  fo  well  known,  by  all  people,  that  I  need  fay 
no  more  of  it  •,  and  I  fhall  treat  only  of  the  relics  that 
I  faw  mylelf,  or  read  of  in  the  book  called  Flos  San^o- 
rum  :  Where  an  hiftorical  account  is  given  of  the  lives 
and  relics  of  faints,  and  of  the  miracles  wrought  by 
them. 

In  the  cathedral  church  of  St.  Salvator^  the  chapter 
keeps,  with  great  veneration,  the  bodies  of  St.  Peter 
Argues^  and  St.  Bominguito,  The  firft  was  born  in  a 
town  called  £^i/^,  diftant  21  miles  from  Zaragofa^  and 
by  his  learning  was  promoted  to  one  of  the  prebends  of 
the  cathedral,  and  was  murthered  within  the  church, 
after  matins  or  midnight  fongs,  as  he  was  going  to  the 
veftry.  This  facrilegious  murther  was  the  occafion  of 
a  long  iyiterdi^um  :  For  fome  faid,  it  was  committed  by 
order  from   the   Governor  of  the  city,  for  jealoufy  ; 

for 


«9«  'A    MASTER-KEY 

for  the  faid  faint  was  at  that  time  Confeflbr  of  his 
lady,  and  more  than  ConfefTor  too,  as  malicious 
people  faid.  The  reputation  of  the  whole  chap- 
ter being  llained  and  kfTcned  by  this  accident,  tihe 
prebends  give  our,  that  Peter  Argues  was  a  pious 
godly  minifter  of  J.  C.  and  that  he  was  muithered 
by  fome  Infidels,  that  were  incognito  in  the  city,  and 
that  he  had  wrought  many  miracles  after  his  death,  as 
appeared  by  certificates  from  the  perfons  healed  by  his 
influrnce  in  heaven.  The  chapter  found  great  oppofirion 
among  the  nobility,  and  to  flop,  at  once,  the  mouths  of 
the  people,  they  refolved  to  fend  one  oi  the  prebendaries 
to  Rcme^  to  iblicit  thecanonizat-on  of  St.  Peter  Argues^ 
and  give  looooo  crowns  to  the  Pope,  which  is  the 
fum  fettled  by  his  Holinefs  for  the  making  of  a  faint ^ 
which  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  brief  of  his  ca- 
TiOnization  being  come  to  the  chapter,  and  with  it  a  bri- 
dle for  malicious  and  blafphemous  tongues  ;  the 
chapter,  all  the  clergy,  fecular  and  regular,  and  the 
whole  city,  celebrattd  the  firfl.  feftival  of  their  new  faint. 
His  body  having  been  embalmed  and  pre-ferved,  was 
(hewn  to  the  people.  Many  tarnefily  begged  fome  re- 
lic, but  the  body  being  whole,  the  thing  could  not  be 
granted  :  But  many  bigots  went  to  fcratch  the  ground 
on  which  the  faint  was  murthercd,  and  kept  the  duft 
for  a  oreat  relic.  The  town  of  Epila  did  contribute 
for  the  building  of  a  magnificent  chapel  to  the  faint, 
and  the  chapter  built  a  noble  monument  for  his  body. 
The  filver  box  where-n  the  body  is  kept,  is  placed  un- 
der the  altar;  there  are  three  keys,  one  is  kept  by  the 
Dean,  another  by  the  Archbifhop,  and  the  third  by  the 
Viceroy,  and  no  body  can  fee  the  glorious  body  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  the  three  key- keepers,  and 
though  I  was  three  years  and  fome  months  in  ecclcfiaf- 
tical  duty,  in  the  cathedral,  I  could  not  huve  the 
fatisfadion  of  fee-ng  the  body  of  cur  Concokga^ 
as  the  chapter  calls  him  :  And  I  prcfume  there 
muft  befomcthing  extraordinary  in  the  cafe,  tor  all  re- 
lics 


ti>    P  0  P  E  R  T.  ^^f 

relics  and  bodies  of  canoniz'd  pcrfons  are  generall)^ 
ifhevvn  to  the  people  ;  But,  to  fatisfy  the  public,  there 
is,  behind  the  altar,  a  flatue  of  the  faint,  made  of  mar- 
ble, and  the  people  ule  to  take  three  turns  round  the 
altar<>  and  kil^  the  pole  of  the  Ilitus's  neck,  and 
kneeling  before  the  altar  they  pray,  by  faith,  to  the  m* 
corrupted  body  of  the   glorious   Martyr  St.  Pettr^ 


As  to  St.  JDominguitOy  he  was  a  Tinging  boy  of  the 
cathedral,  and  his  whole  life  was  full  of  wonders  iil 
working  miracles;  fo,  after  his  death,  he  was  beatified^ 
and  after  canonized  •,  but  this  faint  is  not  much  in  ve- 
neration, and  he  has  only  a  private  feilival,  folemnized 
only  by  the  finging  boys  of  the  church.  His  body  (ag 
they  fay)  is  {iill  uncorrupted,  and  I  faw  it,  thro'  the 
glals  of  his  box,  feveral  times. 

In  the  parifh  church  of  St.  Lawrence,  the  beneficl^" 
ates  have  in  great  veneration  the  head  of  that  Martyr^ 
who  (as  the  hiftory  of  his  life  reports)  was  born  in  the 
city  of  //?<^y?<^,  diilant  36  miles  from  Z ar ago f a. /2inA  at^ 
tcrwards  lufFcr'd  martyrdom  at  Rome,  How  many 
bodies  St.  Lawrence  had,  I  do  not  know,  for  (tho*  it 
is  certain  he  had  but  one  body  and  one  head)  there  are 
two  whole  bodies  of  the  fame  faint,  one  at  Rome,  and 
another  at  Huefca,  and  leven  heads  in  the  city  ofZ^- 
ragofa  :  He  is  calTd  the  coiirtsous  and  Civil  Spaniard^ 
becaufe,  when  St.  P'incent  fwho  was  alf)  a  Spaniardy 
born  in  the  city  of  Valencia)  fuffer*d  martyrdom  at 
Rome,  many  years  after  St.  Lawrence,  as  h£  had  beerl  a 
great  devoto  of  Lawrence^  his  body  being  order'd  to 
be  put  in  the  fame  fepulchre  and  coiHa  with  Sto 
Lawrence^ S-,  as  the  people  were  going  to  put  it  at  tlie 
left  hand^  St.  LawreUce's  body  mov'd  to  the  left,  and 
left  the  right  to*  St,  Fincent,  which  was  a  piece  of 
great  civility  and  good  manners  •,  therefore,  ever  fince, 
he  has  beciA  cali'd  El  Cortes  EfpannoL     To  the  honor 

iA  m  of 


'A    MASTER-KEY 

of  this  faint,  a  magnificent  church  was  built,  and  dedi- 
cated to  his  name  at  Rome,  ex  Ira  muros^  or  v/ithout  the 
'wall ;  which  at  this  prtlenc  iscalTd  St.  Lawrence  extra 
muros  :  His  body  is  kept  there  with  great  veneration, 
and  many  indulgences  are  granted  to  thofe  that  vifit  that 
church,  as  may  be  fetn  in  the  Pope's  yearly  Bull  :  And 
becaufe  this  faint  fufFered  death  in  fo  cruel  a  manner,  as 
to  have  his  body  roafted  upon  an  iron  grate,  and 
when  one  ^\^^  was  roafted,  he  faid  to  the  Tyrant,  Come 
eat  of  this  fide ^  for  it  is  ready  roafted  ;  therefore,  as  he 
underwent  the  flames  of  fire  on  earth,  the  Popes  grant- 
ed a  privilege  to  his  church,  that  all  thofe  that  go  to  vi- 
fic  his  fepulchre,  may  take  a  foul  cut  of  purgatory,  aad 
redeem  it  from  the  tormenting  flames  of  that  dreadful 
place.  There  is  one  whole  body  of  his  at  Rome^  as  the 
hiftory  of  his  lifCj  and  the  Martyr ologtum  of  that  churchj; 
teflify, 

%t.  Polonia  is  the  patronefs  of  all  thofe  that  have 
the  tooth-ach,  and  there  is  not  one  church  nor 
convent  without  a  tooth  of  this  faint  ;  fo  that  if  all  her 
teeth  were  gathered  together,  I  believe  they  would  make 
half  a  rpillion, 

I  could  give  fo  many  other  inilances  of  the  muU 
tiplicity  of  legs,  teeth,  arms,  ^c,  of  one  and  the 
fame  faint  in  difl^erent  places,  that  the  reader  muft 
needs  be  furprifed,  unlefs  \  give  him  an  account 
of  the  cuftom  the  Popes  have  in  making  all  forts  of 
jrelics  of  whatever  faint  they  pleafe. 

When  a  church,  convent,  &c,  begs  of  his  Holinefs 
a  relic  of  any  faint,  and  it  cannot  be  found,  or  is  al- 
ready <2ranted  to  fome  other  church,  he  fends  for  an 
head,  or  an  arm,  to  fome  church-yard,  and  baptizes 
k  with  the  name  of  the  defired  faint  ;  as  we  (ce  it  in 
the  multiplicity  of  St.  Lawrenceh  heads,  and  many 
@thsrs;>  which  are  well  known  among  the  Roman- ca- 
tholics 


to    P  0  P  E  R  r.  29^ 

tholics,  and  which  were  baptized  by  the  Pope,  to 
pleafe  only  the  petitioners.  Ic  is  reported,  and  at- 
tefted  in  the  life  of  St.  Lucia,  that  refufing  to  fatisTy 
the  brutal  defire  of  the  Tyrant,  he  comaianded  her 
eyes  to  be  plucked  out,  and  fo  fhe  died,  and  there- 
fore all  blind  people  in  a  body,  or  fraternity,  acknow- 
ledge her  for  their  patronefs.  In  the  convent  of  the 
Nuns,  caird  St.  Bernardo's  ladies,  there  is  to  be  fceti 
the  two  eyes  ofthifi^  faint,  and  in  almoft  every  panfh 
church  and  convent;.' there  is  the  fame  relic  kept,  not- 
only  to  comfort  the  blind,  but  to  blind  others  too,  who 
want  no  fuch  comfort. 

1 

I  might  have  faid  much  more  upon  each  of  thefe  ar- 
ticles, and  there  are    fome   others   I  have    not    yet 
touched  on  :  But   for  all   thefe  things,  I   fliill  refer 
the    reader    to    another    book,    which  I   intend    to 
write   on   this    fubje6l  (as    I   before  hinted)    if  my 
poor  endeavours,  in  this  one,   be   fo  fortunate  as  to 
pleafe    the  public,  and  if  they  do  not  (as    I  have 
too  much   reafon  to   fear)   I    have   faid    more   than 
enough  already  :  So,  I  conclude  all,  befeeching  the 
fupreme  difpofer   of  all   things,     to  grant   that    all 
who  take  this  piece  into    their  hands,   may  read  ic 
with  as  much  candour  and  piety  as  I  have    wricten  it 
v/ith  fincerity,  truth,  and  a  defire  of  doing  them  good  ; 
that  thofe  of  this  nation,  v/ho  as  yet   lie   blinded  with 
Romijh  errors,   may  fee  the  great  difference    between 
popery  difcountenanced  mlreland^^  triumphant  in  Spain^ 
and  know  what  imperious  Lords  they  would  foon  ^al 
their  humble  Priefts  metam orphofed  into,  if  they  fh  juld 
ever  be  fo  unhappy  as  to   have  this    kingdom   in   the 
condition  they  wiih  it ;  and  lailly,  that   all  among  us, 
that  are  already  enlightened  with  the  truth,  may  feri- 
oufly  ponder  with  themfelves  the  extraordinary  blelTings 
they  enjoy  above  their  neighbouring  countries,  and  pi- 
oufly  acknowledge,  with  the   prophet,  That  their  lines 
are  fallen  to  them  in  pleaf ant  places.  Here  none  are  afraid 

•of 


A'  M  A  S  r  E  R-K  E'  r,^€, 

of  being  hurried  out  of  thVi^  houfes  to  loathfome  dnni 
gfons  an^l  horrible  dv^^aj^l^v .without  any  reafon  given  to 
tliemfelveS)  or  any  body  eifc  :  Here  gentlemen  are  un- 
der no  uneafy  apprehenfi  ns  of  having  the  fandity  of 
their  nuptial  bed^  violated  by  the  fecret  intrigues,  or 
their- children  deduced  to  poverty  by  the  rapacious  a- 
varice  of  pronli^ate  men  -,*  hei;ic  '  the  innocent  Virgins 
may  contentedly  enjoy  theinfelves,,  without  fear  of  being 
drawn,  by  e^e  iandtified  cut- fide  ';f  debauched  hypo- 
crites, into  dillionor  in  this  woridy^ahd  endlefs  mifery  in 
the  next'.  And  what  is  the  crown  of  ail,  the  jgoipcl^ 
that  fountain  of  living  v.aters,  is  open  to  all'that  pleafc 
to  come  and  drink,  and  our  divine  reli^^ipn  clearly  ex- 
plained to  the  meanf"ft  capacity,  and  the  truth'of  it  evi* 
dtntly  demonftrated  by  the  greateft  genius  the  world 
has  everfeen  :  And  all.thefe  bkffings,  fupported  by  a 
Prince,  and  dgffnded  by  an  army  that  thoroughly  un- 
derftand  the  Value  of  thole  liberties,  and  the  excellency 
of  that  religion  they  proted  ;  ibr,  farelyj,  if,  in  fpite  of 
all  thefe  mercies,  we  f)lot  our  own  de'{lru6l:iorfi  &  force 
our- way  to  I^ell,  through  all^  the  bars  God  has  fet  in 
our  paflage,  our  punifhments  in  the  next  world  will  be 
as  much  luperior  to  thofc  of  other  nations,  asthcAI- 
mighty 's  care,  to  prevent  our  ever  fuffering  anyg  ha? 
been. 


FIN/ 


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